Hi I have just discovered rust fugus on my hollyhock. It has taken two years to reach blooming stage. I understand it is a fugus. I do not want to destroy my plant. I believe in any quote GREEN METHOD unquote that is available. I understand clean up etc, but this has happened over night. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am a new gardener seeking as much info as possible, alas I do not grow soya beans. PS: Any rose growers wishing to repsoned would be great. I need green help here as well. Black spots, yellowing leaves etc. I have been babying twoo rose bushes a very long time. PSS: Composting info & interest would be of an interest to me as well. As I have said GREEN is my world!! Thanks a million Liz
Hi Liz, There really isn't any organic way to control hollyhock rust other then to clean up all fallen leaves as soon as you see them and dispose of the spent flower stalks when bloom is finished. There are fungicides that you can use, but I grow mine every year and don't use fungicides. http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/hollyhockrust/hollyhockrust.htm For your roses, you don't say which ones you have, but I have given up growing finicky roses. Black spot is also fungal. Here's some info on it and an organic recipes that you might also try on your hollyhocks. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3072.html http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=204 Composting info (also including how to make leaf mold): http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/data/soil/2000042647001285.html http://www.mastercomposter.com/ref/orgmat1.html http://vegweb.com/composting/what.shtml http://www.gardenguides.com/articles/dynamic.htm http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/soil/2000043150021580.html http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach_pgs/b_01_compost_information.html http://gardening.wsu.edu/stewardship/compost/manure/manure0.htm http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/orgmatter/index.html http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/soil/2000052708003930.html http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda ...tural Myths_files/Myths/Compost tea again.pdf http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach_pgs/c_01_understand_why.html http://www.howtocompost.org/ That should get you started! :) Newt