Topic: In flower at last!

[plot51A]

Here is my 10'4" flower - tallest in the group and first to open.

[GREENWIZARD]

WHAT A WHOPPER ;D ;D

[lorna]

I want to grow sunflowers next year for the grandchildren. Are they self supporting? (can't see any supports in photos)Do I grow from seed and do I start them off ingreenhouse and when do I sow ..Please. Lorna

[plot51A]

Hi Lorna!
My 5 year old grandson arrives today so I'm hoping he'll be impressed!!
Started mine off as seeds in large modules I seem to remember. Don't have a greenhouse - only windowsills or a coldframe on my balcony, think it was coldframe. Probably April - ish, must have planted out before we went on hols end of May. Handful of chicken pellets mixed in at bottom of planting hole. No support, total neglect apart from removing the odd weed in the area. A freebie packet of seed too, what more can one ask?   ;D

[lorna]

Hi periwinkle. I am sure he will be impressed (I am) Thanks for info it has just got to be a thing for me next year. Have a lovely time with your grandson..My 10yr old grandson (next door) is off for a few days with his other Nan to Yarmouth. I said "I will miss you" so he said well you can just text me Nan Lorna,

[GardenerBates]

wow!  ;)   really impressed. love them when they're that big.

[norman bates]

woopie do  ;D

[mkfox]

Evening!
My sunflowers have been so close to opening for ages, but haven't quite made it yet. lazy buggers in milton keynes....

[dibberxxx]

wow that is nice big sunflowers weldone

[Mrs Ava]

Fantastic!

[Catherine]

Just a small warning to lorna, we grew our sunflowers for our three smalls and just as they bloomed, a sharp breeze snapped them clean in half, all three. :( :( :( so if your site is at all exposed, support them if you don't want long faces!

[sunflower_info]

Just curious, what variety and brand did you use to get these sunflowers?

Thanks,
Brian

[plot51A]

Sorry Brian not been paying attention to the Board and only just seen your question! They were Suttons Tall Single.

[sunflower_info]

Thanks!  I've never grown that variety by Suttons.  The only thing I've been able to find by them is Suttons Giant Yellow. 

Of the UK giants, I'm a big fan of Unwins Giant Single and Thompson & Morgan Russian Giant.  I've always done pretty well those commercial varieties.  They are some of the most consistent of the commercial varieties.  If you are looking for much bigger than I would go for seeds passed around by people who grow giants, such as Bott's Strain or Craven sunflowers. 

Brian