Author Topic: Sunflower competition. 2007 (Read 12995 times)

kenkew · « **on:** January 21, 2007, 21:23:49 »

Anyone not too embarrassed to have a try either first time round or some of you past contenders? Wer'e talking about the tallest stalk, ground to flower. (And why not a second comp. for the largest flower head?)
Basic rules:

No fixed 'sow-by' date.
Start when and where you wish, inside or out.
No restriction on how you grow or what you use to make 'em bigger!

Just one rule to be decided...
When to say stop!
This has to be within a 7 day period to give people a chance to post a pic.
What say you?

saddad · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2007, 21:54:58 »

Souds fine by me but after the cross pollination problem a couple of years ago I haven't topped twelve foot!
::)

kenkew · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2007, 22:09:27 »

Yeah! I know, Saddad. Sad in'it? Last year my 27 footer developed mid stem soft bug laceration suckitout weevel infestation and fell over right on top of my exhibition cabbage patch.
That's two of us then destined to have another go at failing....any more?

Carol · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2007, 22:28:08 »

I had a magnificent specimen last year. Wonder if I can acquire the same seeds again, please. Strange, the flowere is still in the garden, uneaten by the birds. ;) ;)

kenkew · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2007, 22:30:55 »

Carol; Is that a yes?

LauraB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2007, 21:16:55 »

Can my children enter? Sunflowers are just about the only thing my daughters want to grow!

mc55 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2007, 21:46:44 »

mine were pitiful last year - had to sow a second time and really left it a bit late. I'll have another go this year.

saddad · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2007, 22:07:10 »

Of course they can Laura, did I drop some seeds in your lucky bag?
???

LauraB · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2007, 22:47:58 »

Quote from: saddad on January 23, 2007, 22:07:10

Of course they can Laura, did I drop some seeds in your lucky bag?
???

You did ;D

Eleanor was pleased!

carolinej · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2007, 23:07:31 »

My first go at sunflowers last year wasnt anywhere near good enough for a competition. 9FT was about it. Any chances of a few tips to try to gain some extra height?

cj :)

Froglegs · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2007, 00:08:54 »

I'm up for it .......now where can i get some 30ft canes ::)

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2007, 07:38:48 »

Tape normal length canes together. More to the point, how are you going to tie them to the stem 30 feet up?

kenkew · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2007, 08:24:42 »

I'd give you some of my canes but I'm not cutting mine in half...! ;D

Froglegs · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2007, 11:59:19 »

Redbull it gives you wings Robert ;D ;D

kenkew · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2007, 12:26:33 »

Quote from: carolinej on January 23, 2007, 23:07:31

My first go at sunflowers last year wasnt anywhere near good enough for a competition. 9FT was about it. Any chances of a few tips to try to gain some extra height?

cj :)

Suprising how many different methods people employ to get biggies.
A couple of suggestions here which will certainly help.
Select what will be a sunny position Last week of March turn an area 2ft square to a depth of 1/2 spade depth ( for each flower you intend to grow. Remove anything that's not going to help your plant, like weeds, bits of decayed plant and rubbish. A few small stones are OK.
Early April sow 3 seeds 2" apart. These will be reduced to one as you select the strongest one.) When you're down to just one plant, stake it and do a weekly feed of liquid fertiliser (Not manure) a couple of inches round the stem. Don't splash the stem with it.
I've known people who place drainpipe around the stem to encourage the plant to 'shhot fo the stars'...it doesn't work!

If you want to start indoors, fine, but it's not going to give you an advantage other than being able to sow many more seeds and so give you a greater choice of the best. Sowing indoors needn't be done until end March as any sooner and your plants will not only end up pot bound but if kept indoors too long, like waiting for the frost to end, then you'll end up with straggly plants.
( Colder areas prone to late frosts then seeds would be better started off indoors or outdoors in a home-made 'right size' coldframe -with lid-. Needs to have daily attention to weather!)
Indoor sowing is best in peat or paper pots. Paper pots are easy to make. Both mean that the seedling isn't disturbed when it comes to planting out.

louise stella · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2007, 14:18:04 »

Quote from: kenkew on January 21, 2007, 22:09:27

Yeah! I know, Saddad. Sad in'it? Last year my 27 footer developed mid stem soft bug laceration suckitout weevel infestation and fell over right on top of my exhibition cabbage patch.
That's two of us then destined to have another go at failing....any more?

27 foot!!!!!

WOW!

Don't think i'll even t ry to beat thet one!!!

Louise

kenkew · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2007, 14:29:46 »

Don't panic, I'm only kidding.

lorna · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2007, 18:39:56 »

OK. kenkew If at first I don't succeed I will try, try and try again ;D

Laney · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2007, 23:06:01 »

My 8 year old son is growing his first ever sunflower this year, so we'll enter. :)

giantseeds · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2007, 19:18:17 »

i will look forward to the challenge of who can grow the tallest!!!

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Author Topic: Sunflower competition. 2007 (Read 12995 times)