Growing Roses from Rose Hips and Controlling Flea Beetles on Hollyhocks

Rose Hips: Yes, roses can be grown from hips. Let hips ripen fully on the bush, then harvest seeds. Clean and stratify (cold-moist treatment for 4–6 weeks) before sowing in a light, sterile medium. Germination is variable; seedlings won't come true to hybrid parents.

Flea Beetles on Hollyhocks: These tiny jumping beetles riddle leaves with shot-holes. Eggs overwinter in soil and plant debris. A multi-pronged approach works best:

• Fall cleanup: Remove all plant debris to reduce overwintering sites.
• Early spring spray: Apply neem oil or pyrethrin when beetles first appear.
• Reapply in 10 days: Critical—newly hatched larvae emerge then. Mark your calendar.
• Beneficial nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) applied to soil target larvae.
• Row covers early in the season exclude adults.
• Trap crops: Radish or alyssum planted nearby can draw beetles away.

Persistence over 2–3 seasons breaks the cycle. Combine cultural, biological, and targeted chemical controls for best results.