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Sunflower

zakzakzakzak Posts: 178
As I've said before I'm a learner gardener. I've propagated some sunflowers with my grandchildren. They are approx3inches tall with a spindley stem. Do I pot them up into a pot were there going to stay. (My garden is pots only)..
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @zakzak - what are they growing in just now? If they're only that size, they'd need potted on into a slightly bigger pot for now, as long as the root system is big enough. If there's roots showing out the bottom of the pot, they're big enough to pot on.
    If they're spindly, that's usually due to lack of light. 
    It's too early for them to go outside as the temps aren't suitable, especially if they're only that size  :)

    Normally, you'd only be sowing them just now, to give them adequate time to get big enough for acclimatising, and then going outside when there's no risk of frosts.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • zakzakzakzak Posts: 178
    Ok thankyou.
  • zakzakzakzak Posts: 178

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'd pull out the really long ones and put another seed in. The shorter ones might be ok
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3 said:
    I'd pull out the really long ones and put another seed in. The shorter ones might be ok
    Sorry, jumping on as another newbie… when you say pull them out do you mean get rid of them?! I have similar which I’ve just repotted in 10cm pots, thought they’d be OK until it’s warm enough to plant out but maybe not…
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It might not be warm enough to plant them out until late May … they could be several
    feet tall by then! 😉 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    This is always the problem with sowing seed too early  ;)

    I wouldn't necessarily ditch the ones @zakzak has. Moving them to a less sunny window where they'll still get decent light will slow them down a bit. Turning regularly will also help.  They've barely got going yet - nowhere near needing potted on  :)

    How quickly they grow over the next month is variable. How soon they can go outside is also variable. A greenhouse, or similar, in early May can be fine in many areas for half hardy plants of all kinds if they're healthy and growing happily. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Hope it is ok to bob in on this thread. I am interested in buying sunflower plants for the birds to enjoy, at what time of year will they appear in the garden centre for planting out please? (Not seeds) tia
  • zakzakzakzak Posts: 178
    They are growing so fast not root bound yet. No heat on them. Would you plant them up and bury the leggy stem? I've no idea I've never grown anything in my life. HELP.
  • zakzakzakzak Posts: 178
    I looked last year couldn't find them anywhere. Only the small sunflower plants that don't grow that big.
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