I did not go out to grow sunflowers they came in the pack of bird seed. Once they were growing I did not have the heart to pull them up. They were such enthusiastic plants.
I've got some in root trainers at the moment that are still quite small, and a few from an earlier sowing that I transplanted into the border over a month ago. These haven't done much yet, but I did pinch the tops - about which I have a question. I have various varieties, all of which I am hoping will be multi-flowered and not too tall (vanilla ice, paquito cut mix, Irish eyes and another couple I forget). What is the best practice for ensuring multi-flowered plants? Last year I left it too late when I pinched some and they just sat there with no new growth at all until I finally removed them about 6 weeks later (plants were over a foot high at this time). This time I plan to pinch at about 8 inches - say 2 pairs of true leaves. Is this the right thing to do? It seems that sunflowers don't branch all that readily, or do some varieties do so more than others? Or would it be better just to have multiple plants, closely spaced?
I guess it depends on the variety Lyn. I have grown giant single sunflowers in the past, which of course I did not pinch out, but I have also read that pinching out the smaller/multi-flowered varieties is the thing to do. Problem is, I haven't really been able to find out much about it and my efforts last year failed (I suspect because the plants were too big).
I've got quite a few just growing under the bird feeder. I've left them there because I'm curious to see whether they grow taller or not. Last year one got up to 1 ft or so, then got nobbled by slugs, which was rather disappointing. I'm hoping for free birdseed!
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'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
I don't really have much room this year after planting allium bulbs in the places I had the sunflowers last year.
That being said, I've sown a few seeds and will do my best to find room...
Went with slightly bigger pots this year.