I've read many, many posts about HH rust. I've tried to control it, (milk spray, conmeal, burn affected leaves and on and on etc) but the real bottom, bottom line line is:
Nothing.
Plant at the back, removed horrid bottom leaves and grow something in front of them.
Some zones don't get it as bad as others.
Sorry.

Libby

Why the apology? I had some small plants related to hollyhock, (Malva 'Snowdrift')? from seed for several years. Rust even got to them. I grow none of them, now. Sometime I may try again. Is the cut-leaf russian hollyhock resistant?

Has anyone ever tried this recipe? I was thinking of trying it myself this year:

Healthy Hollyhock Spray
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. canola oil
1/2 tsp. Ivory dish liquid soap
1/2 C. white vinegar
1 gallon water.

Gail

So far this year, I don't have any rust problems. I was asking because a few customers have requested an organic method. Even the chemical sprays we sell did nothing for the rust I had last summer. None of those plants returned so I've still not seen any hollyhock blooms in my garden.

Maybe the best method is to just remove the infected plant.

In spite of rust....I gotta grow 'em! And this year they have actually started blooming!

{{gwi:677744}}

{{gwi:677745}}

I can't wait for mine. Not sure which ones were planted where. I might even have some Malva in there that I am mislabeling as hollyhocks.

Those look great! It's nice to know that there might be help. I have one that is horribly infected. I think I am just going to dig it up and destroy it before the others succumb.

Lindakimy, what kind of hollyhock is that? It is very beautiful.
I have nigra hollyhock, but I think the color will be darker than
yours.

Linda