The previous two columns discussed the early phases of the hollyhock plant`s life cycle. This column will pick up from there and elaborate on the relatively longer growth and maturity phase of the hollyhock plant, when the beautiful cup-shaped flowers begin to bloom.

It will also discuss the fertilisers required by the plant, the probable pests that may attack it and what pesticides to use while growing the hollyhock flowering plants. But before all that, let`s see how the edible flowers of hollyhock are being used and consumed.

Interestingly, all parts of the hollyhock plant are edible, including its seeds, flowers, leaves, stems and roots.

It is worth noting that hollyhocks closely resemble mallows, and their leaves and flowers are often used in mallow based recipes. The young leaves and flowers are commonly added to salads.

Additionally, the cup-shaped hollyhock flowers can be used to prepare single serving starters and bite-sized snacks.

The roots of the plant are usually roasted or boiled for different culinary requirements.

Apart from this, hollyhock flowers are also used to prepare herbal infusions and medicinal tea, to be consumed for different ailments. Instead of hot tea, the cold version is preferable, as it is widely believed that boiling may decrease the hollyhocks` healing capacities. Finally, the hollyhock plant is even used to prepare soaps to ensure healthy skin! Soon enough, as the plant begins to grow and mature, the focus shifts to the food and medicine of the plant the fertilisers and pesticides to counter pest attacks. Although the steadfast hollyhock plant, which usually reaches a height of six to seven feet, seldom requires fertiliser support to grow, it is better to feed them to the plant.

It is also of the utmost importance not to overdo the use of fertiliser, as over-feeding the hollyhock plant can eventually kill it. During the saplingstage, the hollyhocks are sprinkled with small quantities of nitrogen-based organic fertiliser, which will improve foliage and increase the leaves on the plant. This supplementation is to be continued after every few weeks, till the first flower buds begins to appear on the plant. The plant should then be provided with organic versions of potassium and phosphorus-based fertilisers, instead of the nitrogen variant, albeit in limited quantities.

Just like any other flowering plant, the hollyhock plant also has its own set of pests, infections and diseases to deal with. The common pests that may favour hollyhock for a feast include hollyhock weevils, aphids, Japanese beetles and spider-mites. The recipe to avoid all these pests remains standard.

Every two to three weeks, spray the plant with a solution of one spoonful of neem oil mixed in one litre of water.

However, if the plant is already under attack, then there are two ways to proceed. If you catch the pest attack in the early phase, try to manually remove as many pests as you can and then thoroughly spray the solution on the entire plant. In case the plant is already under heavy attack, then a few drops of any dish-washing liquid soap should be added to the mixture. The plant should be thoroughly sprayed and drenched with the solution, with special focus on the underside of the leaves.

Mallow rust disease, scientifically known as Puccinia malvacearum, is a fungal infection that is unique to this family of plants, which results in yellow to orange-coloured pustules all over the leaves of the plant, usually on the underside. The removal of infected leaves, followed by a fungicidal spray, is likely to help the plant to recover from this threat.

Other common infections include powdery mildew, in which there is abnormally stunted plant growth, subsequent to the presence of white powdery growth on the leaves. Neem oil spray is recommended in this condition and overhead watering is contraindicated, as it may spread the disease further. Root-rot, leaf spot and anthracnose are some of the other, albeit relatively uncommon, diseases that can afflict the hollyhock plant.

Preparing a wall of the hollyhock plant not only attracts pollinators to your garden, but this sunlight-loving, big-sized plant also provides shade to the smaller plants growing under it.

The beautification of the house, with an array of colours, is an added feather in the hollyhocks` cap! Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel `DocTree Gardening` promoting organic kitchen gardening