Sunflowers: Reach For The Sky 2010

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I'm a bit early.......but I've sown a few sunflower seeds indoors this week. I know I'm supposed to wait until March, but I wanted to try a little experiment of giving them a head start.

When are you starting your seeds off?

[poohs tao]

i haven't grown sunflowers before so i'll be growing them strictly by the packet instructions.   

[Georgie]

Sunflowers are hardy annuals so mine go straight in the ground towards the end of April.  Why make life more difficult?


G x

[Flighty]

I sow mine directly in the ground usually around the first May Bank Holiday weekend!

[emmy1978]

Straight in the ground end of April here too. 

[Hosta]

I plant them straight into the ground too......... but always have a good few in pots aswell as back ups for the ones that get scoffed 

[elvis2003]

i cant resist starting mine in the greenhouse towards the end of march,never considered trying em so early,but youve tempted me to do so now!  those ive direct sowed have never done so well as the ones ive fussed over!
good luck and let us know how they do
rach
x

[GlentoranMark]

I got an allotment last May and got some sunflowers in and was pretty happy with the results. I don't have a front fence atm, money's tight and I've a few other things that need doing before a fence. I was thinking this year putting sunflowers along the front entrance to create a barrier.

Should I start them in pots and transplant? and how close together can I plant them? Height isn't as important as flowers, if I plant them too close will they still flower?

tyia

[chriscross1966]

I've just started 5 supposed giants off in the GH in modules. THe seeds were big, I got them on ebay from a guy in Spain, he had photos with flowerheads the size dustbin lids, so fingers crossed..... I can't see how a business model based on chiselling 99p a time out of folks will work so hopefully he's legit

chrisc

[1066]

I got an allotment last May and got some sunflowers in and was pretty happy with the results. I don't have a front fence atm, money's tight and I've a few other things that need doing before a fence. I was thinking this year putting sunflowers along the front entrance to create a barrier.

Should I start them in pots and transplant? and how close together can I plant them? Height isn't as important as flowers, if I plant them too close will they still flower?

tyia

Thats a lovely idea  I start mine off in pots as the snails/slugs seem to like them! AS to spacing, not sure really I just tend to plonk 'em in !! I guess it depends on which variety you get - super tall, dwarf / bushy etc etc. Maybe someone else can help with that 
1066