Anyone else doing sunflowers this year.

I wasn't going to bother this year but the birds propagated a few from the old seed heads so I thought it would rude not to pot them up.

 

I've got some seeds I've had for years but not done anything about them yet, maybe it's too late?

 

Oh now I hate to say this, but would sooner live next to a leylandii than a sunflower..........sorry BM just a taste thing.

 

They are a bit, you know, but when I propagated the ones that produced the ones that the birds propagated this year (sounds a bit like the lady who swallowed a fly, anyway) i did it with my 2 year old. He put the soil in and the seed and watched it grow. Father son bonding rather than a banana man favorite. I don't really have room for annuals, so it will be a big pot on the yard again.

 

whirlimix, I think you can sow them outdoors from may. :D

So get them started in doors now and you would be fine.

 

I always grow some for the birds. Usually have loads of seedlings from birdseed, but had to plant some this year. I'm waiting for the rain to stop so they can be planted out. They're very satisfying to grow, Whirlimix, big fat seedlings with very high germination rate.

 

filled a 24 inch pot and scattered a pack of seeds from B@Q in it kept in the green house at work. Only planted six weeks ago and already nearly 5 foot high . Will post pics next week as busy over the weekend

 

Mine are 5"! I kept hoping for some birdsown ones...iI think they got washed away.

 

' Only planted six weeks ago and already nearly 5 foot high '

well what am I doing wrong then??? I planted 2 seeds with my grandson in a 4 " pot about 8 weeks ago and they are only 3 inches high! and one of the leaves is starting to turn black! greenfingers..... you cant beat 'em.

 

I agree BM - great for children and how lovely to encourage your son in this way, they are so much fun for kids.

 

I usually grow a few but I forgot this year and as Liz says the birds love them. I used to keep mine until the really cold weather and after the head had dried out a bit. Must say I grew them mainly for fun. My smallest gandson has one of my tomato plants and last year when the first one ripened there was the picking ceremony when it was given to his daddy and a lot of fuss was made on how lovely it was. My grandson would rather a banana a bit difficult.

 

I have grown some sunflowers this year that only grow to 3ft, they are called 'Choc,Chip'.
They are meant to be ideal for cutting,thought they would make a change from the usual ones.

 

dalbuie, especially in all this wind! good choice.

 

As promised pics of sunflowers web page

 

They need drug testing!!! Growing mine completely outside, only got 18"s so far.