Hollyhock advice, please.

Earlier this year I planted some seeds indoors which eventually germinated (hurrah!). I *thought* they were going to be a marigold or something so I planted them in a smallish trough planter and left them to get on with it. They have and are now about a hand span in height! But, I can now tell they are hollyhocks!

Not disappointed at all, but, they are still in the little trough and that clearly isn't the right place for them

So, to the questions:

1. Will they transplant ok at this stage?
2. Do they die back in winter?
3. Any tips for preventing rust?

Thank you

 

I don't know the answers but I'm hoping for some, didn't know they get rust. My sister calls mine "fake rhubarb"

 

Now is the perfect time to transplant them.
Unless it's a really harsh Winter they should keep their younger leaves.
Rust is an airborne fungus so there's nothing you can really do to prevent it.