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Growing Giant Sunflowers
WildFlower_UK
Posts: 236
in Plants
I recently sowed some Giant Sunflower seeds inside in pots, and this is what they are like after around 2 weeks (the 5 x tall leggings things).
I want to plant three of them (the others will be gifts) against a North facing fence in our garden. Sadly our soil is heavy clay, so I expect I'll need to add some organic material and maybe even some grit to the soil before planting? I intended to plant them around 30cm apart, use some cane and string to help support them as they grow, and water well every couple of days until they're established and then once or so a week.
Does this sound about right? Are they ready to be planted out and should they be planted up to their seed leaves? Any guidance appreciated!
I want to plant three of them (the others will be gifts) against a North facing fence in our garden. Sadly our soil is heavy clay, so I expect I'll need to add some organic material and maybe even some grit to the soil before planting? I intended to plant them around 30cm apart, use some cane and string to help support them as they grow, and water well every couple of days until they're established and then once or so a week.
Does this sound about right? Are they ready to be planted out and should they be planted up to their seed leaves? Any guidance appreciated!
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https://empressofdirt.net/growing-sunflowers/
i would suggest to plant in soil at current soil level, not deeper as i would worry that the stem would rot, but that's just my hunch
And I meant South facing! Plenty of sunshine
Sunflower roots grow off a big heel block type thing. They're shallow, strong and wide to anchor the plant. If you bury the stem too deep it can rot.
I'm sure someone can give you the proper horticultural terms for the different systems but the short plain answer is - different plant family, different roots, different growing technique.
I have a sunflower question but might start another thread. Will ask here anyway. Was reading last night that they can chemically inhibit the growth of other plants in the same area, and one should leave a space of 12 inches. Has anyone else heard of this? I put three against the fence of my new flower patch yesterday. I was wondering whether to extract them. I have grown about 15 of different types and don't know where to put them! I am very short of full sun places. I guess the smaller ones could go in pots, though I know this will involve a lot of watering.
edited for egregious typos!