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What should I do with my Sunflower?

skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
edited September 2022 in Plants
Hi.

This relates to an identification thread I posted here earlier in the summer.

So now I have a massive sunflower of 140cm tall that has 75% opened as a flower. It grew on it's own (as in from a stray seed that I did not sow).

It is growing in shallow soil in a raised bed with much smaller plants and flowers. So obviously towering above everything else. Also we do not get such a great view of the flower itself from the house as it is obviously facing the sun (the opposite way).

Can I replant it? Or should I cut it and have it in the house in a jar of water for however long it survives . . . Any tips on how to do this? . . .I presume I would just cut it to fit the vase and strip the leaves of.

Also if I pull this out I presume it will not return.
Do sunflowers reseed from the flower part at all?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would leave it as it is ... it should develop seeds before long, and the birds will eat them in the winter.  We do this every year ... a few seeds that they miss drop to the ground grow the following year.  If the plant tips over with the weight of the seedhead you can cut it off and hang it up for the birds.  

    It's an annual so the actual plant you have now will die when it has produced the seeds. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    Second Doves advice.

    I cut the seedheads off mine and festoon our cherry tree with them for the birds.

    Much to OH's annoyance - "You've made our front garden look like Blair Witch again!!!"
  • skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
    Is it weird to have a fully in bloom sunflower at this time (just a few days from October).
    It is not exactly warm . . . (it was only 2c at the crack of dawn).

    I have noticed there seems to be a solitary bee that has taken a liking to it (seems to be the same species of bee - if not the exact same one). It is always on there.
  • SherwoodArrowSherwoodArrow Posts: 284
    Nope it’s not weird, mine are always in flower at this time of year.

    I do expect however, they will come down in Fridays wind and rain.
    Nottinghamshire.
    Failure is always an option.

  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    There is a nearby allotment bordering the main road that has a whole row of them. Over the year they also grow daffodils and dahlias. Looks great.
    Southampton 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2022
    If you want to keep it until the seedhead is fully ripened, a small stake would make sure it doesn't topple over.

    If you want to cut it and put it in water, do.  Van Gogh did.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
    SherwoodArrow said:
    Nope it’s not weird, mine are always in flower at this time of year.

    I do expect however, they will come down in Fridays wind and rain.
    Did it stay up?

    Mine is starting to topple . . . 
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