Topic: Sunflowers in grobags

[pot_of_gold]

Hi,

I run a Rainbow Guide Unit for girls aged 5-7 years and they have asked if they can grow sunflowers as a nature challenge.

Unfortunately we don't have space to grow directly into soil, so is it possible to put them in growbags? I haven't got the foggiest about root space.....

Hope someone can help - I really don't want to crush their green-fingered enthusiasm!

Sue.

[Columbus]

Hi Pot of Gold,  :)

I doubt it because of the size of the root ball on sunflowers I`ve grown and the relative shallowness of a growbag.

But ... if you use compost in large-ish tubs then they will grow to full height.

You could start them in pots indoors and pot them out into the tubs when they are about 6 inches tall. (You could plant extra and sell them to pay for all this stuff you will need). Don`t let them get too leggy.

Don`t forget to put a tall cane in each tub when you plant them and they`ll do best against a sheltered sunny wall or fence where you can also tie them back.

best of luck, Col

[umshamrock]

My sunflowers were 8 ft tall when i grew them in my 'border' at home. the border is only 6-8 inches deep and underneath is slate! the plants were kinda floppy and had to be tied to the wall, but the flowers were huge.

[Jesse]

There are lots of sunflower varieties, if you choose a smaller variety I don't see why you can't use growbags, you might want to turn the growbag the other way around (on it's end like a sack) growing one or two plants, choose a branching variety for lots of flowers. I grew a couple of Autumn Beauty in a large pot last year and they grew beautifully and didn't seem at all bothered being in a pot. :)

[Dan 2]

If you do, I would go for one of the smaller varieties e.g.-teddy bear, im sure they'd like that one! Happy growing! Dan :-)