Everything I've written about so far in this blog has concerned veg growing. There have been times though, in the past, when I've turned over some of my plot to growing (cut) flowers, usually Chrysanthemums.
This year, we are having a competition at work to see who can grow the tallest sunflower. And, as the initial purpose of this blog was to provide hints and tips on 'growing your own' to my work colleaues, I thought I'd dedicate this post to growing sunflowers. Here's a basic guide.
In a pot, or in the ground?
Well first of all, a message to the competition organisers...I think you need two separate competitions. You can grow sunflowers in either pots or in the ground, but you'll grow much taller ones when you grow them directly in the ground. Like many tall growing plants the root structure underground not only gives the plant strength, but sunflowers have a really strong tap root (a straight tapering root that grows vertically downwards, and from which the root system branches out) searching for moisture and nutirents to keep it growing strongly. So, no matter how big your pot, you probably won't grow as big a sunflower in a pot, as one growing in a bed.
Where and when to grow a sunflower?
Sunflowers need a sunny spot. Anywhere where you can guarantee 6 to 8 hours sunshine each day would be best.
When to sow? Well they will need a minimum temperature of 10 degrees centigrade (50 degrees farenheit) to thrive so you want to wait until late May, possibly even early June before you sow - you certainly don't want your seedlings to be at risk of one of those typical British late frosts. Does that give an advantage to those of you who I know might be taking part and growing their sunflowers outside England - we're about to find out!
And one final thing, sunflower seedlings do not like being transplanted, so wherever you can, sow them where you want them to grow - either directly in the soil where they will grow or in the pot that you will be using, so just make sure the pot is big enough.
Best soil to grow it in?
If you want to grow big, you'll need to give your sunflower the richest soil you can, full of nutrients. I will probably be finding some well rotted manure to mix in with my soil but will also be adding some slow release fertilizers such as dried seaweed or granular fish fertlizers.
You also want plenty of it. If you are growing directly in the ground, dig a hole two feet deep and and between two and three feet circumference and fill it with this rich mix. And if you are growing in a pot, find one as big as you can and make sure its full!
How to sow Sunflower seeds?
I've said already that seedlings don't like being moved so sow all your seeds in clumps and then pick out the weaker ones leaving three or four when they get to three inches high, two when they get to a foot high and just one when your 'seedlings' reach two foot high. If you are growing more than one, keep the final plants at least 20 inches apart.
Similarly, if you are growing in a pot, thin the plants gradually leaving the strongest to grow on alone.
Your seeds should take around a week to germinate and as they grow (especially if you have sown direcly outside) you'll need to protect your seedlings, particularly in their early days, from snails and slugs who will enjoy the new green growth or birds who can quite often damage small seedlings in their worm hunts. There are all kinds of slug barriers and deterrents and even orgainic pellets to keep the former at bay, but a simpler option may just be to cover the whole area with netting (slighlty supported so the netting doesn't interfere with the seedlings) as that should sort the birds out too!
Keeping your Sunflower growing
First of all, never let them dry out, keep your sunflowers well watered. Water directly to the roots by watering the base of the stem or create a moat around the plant and fill it.
I would also recommend mixing liquid fertiliser into your water. The sort that you use on tomatoes (like Tomorite) would be fine. This will supplement what's in the soil and give the plant more growth potential.
Sunflowers are strong growers so probably won't need staking, especially if you are growing some together as they will support each other. But do watch the weather for strong winds, as we all know how a British summer can surprise us.
I'll keep everyone updated with how mine are doing. I will allocate some space on the allotment for mine but I will also have family competition from Emily,my daughter, who will finding a space for hers in our south facing garden...Imagine if after all this advice, I didn't even grow the tallest sunflower in the family!
So, in summary..
...for the biggest sunflowers
sow in the ground, not a pot
position in full sun
the soil needs to be nutrient rich
sow seeds where they will grow (rather than in pots to transplant on),
...and in clumps to thin out
keep the seedlings frost free and protected from slugs, snails and birds
keep well watered
So there you go, looking forward to how this all goes...may the best plant win!
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