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The Show => Sunflowers => Topic started by: Nigella on April 05, 2005, 16:07:47

Title: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Nigella on April 05, 2005, 16:07:47: Planted my seeds a little while ago now - and the larger seedlings are looking a bit leggy .... what should I do ?

Was thinking of putting them outside under a cloche?

Will I have to support them with canes as they get bigger?
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on April 05, 2005, 18:50:06: Mine are a little leggy too. I have got round this problem by putting the plants outside in the garden and bringing them indoors before dark. This will allow for MAXIMUM light, which is the cause of them being leggy if there is not enough.

Hope this helps - ;)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: GREENWIZARD on April 08, 2005, 06:56:57: i've a got the same problem.i've killed off quite a few by trying to support them :'( so i'll try your method M. :)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on April 18, 2005, 19:18:13: I hope it worked for you GW !? :D ;)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Lily on April 19, 2005, 09:53:42: My Sunflowers are also leggy ;) I have put them in a makeshift cold frame - lid off (previous use was a book shelf, but that's another story) I am hoping that the slugs and the frost don't get at them before they have time to mature.
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: kenkew on April 19, 2005, 10:54:25: It's a tad early for sowing them. Why not do a second batch if you have the seed?
Helpful germination tip is to put the seed between two layers of damp tissue for 3/4 days. Sow the ones that show signs of growing, saves having to put two in a pot and loose the weaker one.
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: wattapain on April 27, 2005, 12:56:09: Mine are getting a bit big now too - they're in the coldframe at present see hoe they go , bu I've got loads more at various stages so watch this space. 8) :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/terristevens/8f90f0c1.jpg)

Terri :)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: GREENWIZARD on April 27, 2005, 13:10:07: looking good w :).
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Granny_Smith on April 27, 2005, 13:21:55: I'd better get a move on then. Mine are still in the packet !!!
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Alimo on April 28, 2005, 19:55:23: Wow they look fab. Mine are just pushing through the compost.

Alimo
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on April 28, 2005, 20:15:36: Terri, they look great ! And the leaves are so very big ! :o I have put mine in the mini greenhouse where the slugs cannot get but they do not seem to grow very quickly.

I did not buy any sunflower seeds this year, I pinched them from the bird mix ! ;D :P ;D I will have to wait for the end result.
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: David K on April 28, 2005, 22:59:06: This is just my own personal opinion of course, sowing the seed in situ (in mid May) not only avoids this problem, but gives in just as good results.
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on April 28, 2005, 23:08:55: Yes you are right Mr rotivator. I did that last year and my plants grew so very tall ! And no slug problem neither
;)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: David K on April 28, 2005, 23:32:30: Thanks, just finding my way around here, that was my first attempt at posting a message. ;)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on April 29, 2005, 08:10:20: Welcome to these boards Mr rotivator. We are a very friendly lot and everyone is out there to help you.
;D :D
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: wattapain on April 29, 2005, 08:28:17: Quote from: Marianne on April 28, 2005, 20:15:36
Terri, they look great ! And the leaves are so very big ! :o I have put mine in the mini greenhouse where the slugs cannot get but they do not seem to grow very quickly.

I did not buy any sunflower seeds this year, I pinched them from the bird mix ! ;D :P ;D I will have to wait for the end result.

Marianne - I've got lots left if you'd like some - they'r the Russian Giant ones.
PM mewith details if you'd like some.

Terri 8)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: David K on April 29, 2005, 09:42:02: Many thanks for the welcome, Marianne. ;) xx

I'm a newbie here, but have more than fifty years hands-on gardening experience.

I agree this does seem to be a very friendly place.
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on May 13, 2005, 12:24:19: Oh dear Wattapain ! You must think I am so very rude !

I have only just found your message to me !? Thank you very much for the offer but I have plenty now - Thanks anyway !

;D :D ;)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: wardy on May 13, 2005, 12:32:38: Hello Mr Rotovator :)
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: kitty on May 15, 2005, 16:48:51: welcome mr r!
Title: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: DolphinGarden on May 19, 2005, 21:46:35: Wow Wattapain,
thought mine were doing well till I saw the photo. Looking good, large and very healthy leaves. Mine are here

http://photobucket.com/albums/y35/GrandCanal/?action=view&current=May7th05Allin.jpg

May 7th and still smaller than yours of mid April. At least with the horizontal lines I can see any progress being made.

Ciaran not Ozzy
btw welcome Mr. R, I'll be asking you questions, less than 7 years experience and most of that cutting grass and hedges!

by the way, what constitutes legginess in sunflowers, is it the proportion of the length of the green bit of the stem to the length of the brown bit of the stem? And seeing as it's may, should I or could I bother putting some seeds in the ground as recommended by...oh, by you Mr. Rotovator (and Marianne),so I'll do a few like that too....
Title: Re: Leggy Sunflowers ?
Post by: Marianne on May 21, 2005, 21:50:54: Hi

Yes I think it should be OK to plant straight in the borders outside now. Although today the south east has seen monsoons the temperature is rather warm and safe for plants. Good luck with the planting !!