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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I haven't grown these in a while. I was going to this year but the soils stayed cold here too long & I have never had good results starting them in containers. When I've tried early starting I found they got pot bound too quickly & their direct sown counterparts have soared right past them in a few short weeks.

Do competitive Sunflower growers start early in containers?

If so, how big are the containers & how early do you start?

TIA,

Steve

7/10/2006 8:20:08 AM

Montoursville, PA

Steve, There is lots of growing time right beside your pumpkins. Direct seeding is fine, for Northeast. Pa. only measures for width, of head, for exibition....no prize or ribbon. They can be a hoot. Have had them up twelve and thirteen feet and heads, to fifteen sixteen inches. Not really bragging suff here yet but lots, of fun to grow.

They shrink fast when terminated. Also use a plastic bag when hauling, to a weighoff, in open air. I lost over an inch, in diameter going three and a half hours, to Altoona Weigh Off. Dehydration at sixty five miles an hour is really an issue. On the other hand nobody takes pictures when it is bagged up.

7/10/2006 3:19:12 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

The only way I have ever grown them was direct seeding into the garden. It's kind of strange though, in the garden at the place I used to live my tomatos and sunflowers kicked butt! I always had the 10 to 13' stalks and huge flowers. Tomatos got big and plentiful but my pumpkins never would do much.

The garden I have now at the place we moved to a couple years ago will grow some awesome corn, cucumbers and BIG ole pumpkin vines but for some reason the tomatos and sunflowers here are really a disappointment. Guess the soil is just way different here. I'll take the pumpkins growing soil anyday!

7/12/2006 12:25:56 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Steve,
I started the seedlings inside and transplanted into a raised bed, my sunflowers (got em from Shannons Giant Veggie Exchange)are a Bots/Craven cross and measure Approx 12 ft tall and the stalks are just under 6 inches circ!
Tom

7/14/2006 2:43:11 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Thanks everyone. I think next year I'll return to sunflower growing. My wife walks around sticking seeds in places she thinks they'll look nice & they always do well. Some years ago I grew some monsters, but then I got this pumpkin bug & never looked back. After 4 consecutive virus years, I see Sunflowers making a comeback here at the homestead.

Save me some seed Tom?

7/14/2006 10:12:52 PM