Anyone growing Sunflowers?

[Newtothis]

Is anyone growing sunflowers? I'm in my third year with them. The first year I had one in a large tub and that grew to 12 feet. Last year I had six and they were around 14 feet tall. I saved the seeds of the tallest and am now growing three plants from those seeds.

Does anyone want to have a competition on who can grow the tallest one this year ?

[jeny]

I got some seed the other day but the packet says sow outdoors by May... I was wondering cos I live in the north east whether I might still be able to get them out?

Never grown them before, wanted to use them as a beacon for passing bugs that there is greenery below the high walls

[Hollie the Wollie]

I have put the two I had (from the little cheap pots you get in the Supermarket) in the ground but I think they have died. I followed the instructions and all but I don't think I will be successful! I will be part of the competition anyway!

[Newtothis]

Okay cool, I will keep my fingers crossed that your sunflowers make it

[Hollie the Wollie]

Originally Posted by Newtothis

Okay cool, I will keep my fingers crossed that your sunflowers make it

I don't think they have. I cant find them anymore

[poohpouri]

I take part in comp. I have four growing in garden about 5ft at present

[Newtothis]

Originally Posted by jeny

I got some seed the other day but the packet says sow outdoors by May... I was wondering cos I live in the north east whether I might still be able to get them out?

Never grown them before, wanted to use them as a beacon for passing bugs that there is greenery below the high walls

Oops missed this one. You could give it a go. I'm sure my 12 foot one was sown later than it was meant to be. My daughter sowed it with her saturday club and I remember reading up on them and thinking is this going to really happen now. The difference between that one and my ones last year were that when the growing season was over, the seeds were still green, and so I guess it never got the opportunity to mature as it might have if given a little longer, but it did pretty well, and had a nice large flower head on it. Last years ones had seeds like you'd buy in the supermarket so they were able to get to maturity.

[Newtothis]

Originally Posted by jeny

Never grown them before, wanted to use them as a beacon for passing bugs that there is greenery below the high walls

I like your way of thinking

[Newtothis]

Originally Posted by poohpouri

I take part in comp. I have four growing in garden about 5ft at present

Wow , I think you'll def beat me lol. For some reason mine are taking their own sweet time. I was wondering if it was because the seed was taken from last years sunflowers, although the one it was taken from was a whopper so should have been a good thing, no?

[Newtothis]

Originally Posted by Hollie the Wollie

I don't think they have. I cant find them anymore

Oh no how disappointing .

[Cazzie Anwyn]

I'm growing sunflowers this year =D My first year in doing so, and they only recently went outside. I think they're doing great though I was worried in case the storms we was having was going to make them snap but they lived on! And its been nothing but wonderful weather since! So things are going well for them ^_^

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by Newtothis

For some reason mine are taking their own sweet time. I was wondering if it was because the seed was taken from last years sunflowers, although the one it was taken from was a whopper so should have been a good thing, no?

Hi NTT, was the sunflower that you saved the seeds from an F1 variety??

[jeny]

I sowed 12 and so far 5 have germinated!!!

[Tom J]

Originally Posted by jeny

I sowed 12 and so far 5 have germinated!!!

i've got two growing i'll have to take a pic about 4 feet tall at the moment, should they be in full sun all day?

[Husker]

I planted a mixed packet ,to dry for the birds, and 15-20 are growing very well. They're only suppose to get 4'-5' tall and they're 3 1/2' now. Hope the birdies like them this winter .

[Shetty]

I'll take the prize for the smallest one.
Found a self seeded one in my flower bed. It has reached a full 8 inches so far but it is in a extremly windy place. Amazingling though, it looks like it will have about 5 flowerheads on it.

[tommyq1976]

Shame to have missed this - not growing any sunflowers - how about we set a sowing date for next year and re-run the competition?

[Hammer]

Good idea tommyq, i,d like to try growing them next year
Hammer

[jeny]

Ok, my 6 have been transferred to my old recycling box and are now against the wall and about 6inches tall (my bad estimate)

[Thomas W]