From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Wv

Hello all i have about six a foot tall now mostly zappa. Id like to hear from everyone growing large head and tall. lets post. Thanks treetop

6/5/2020 3:37:07 PM

Grittyville, WA

My girlfriend has the 26 ft butler growing at my place. Its doing really great... Its fun to watch grow.

6/5/2020 4:04:04 PM

Wv

Good deal.

6/5/2020 8:44:16 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I have about 100 going as my windbreak. Some or 2 feet tall, it should look nice when they are in bloom

6/6/2020 7:45:29 AM

Norfolk, UK

I have a tall going, just posted an update in the diary. Growing a single 26ft Butler (thinned from 6 plants initially) against side of the house. Be interest to see folks plants in diaries for a gander. First time growing them.

6/8/2020 2:39:52 PM

Wv

mine are about 2 feet tall. best are from my 2015 plant that was a zappa. im growing for head size not tall but all are cool. treetop

6/8/2020 2:56:13 PM

Wv

best so far is from my seed that came from 27 zappa . so far so good. long summer loL.i planted a few more yesterday in spots my tomatoes didnt make.treetop

6/9/2020 1:06:30 PM

Bethlehem CT

Growing skyscrapers this year just for fun. The package says up to 15'.

6/9/2020 7:31:46 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

I've got 5 going, 3 tall and 2 big head. First year trying them, we'll see what happens.

6/9/2020 10:08:38 PM

Wv

what kinds are they? everyone. I think there is alot of room for the giant sunflower to go. Gene strain is a must to take the giant sunflower into the future of giants. let me know your thoughts. Treetop

6/11/2020 3:59:37 PM

Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

aloha sunflower growers!...do you know of anyone who might have extra sunflower seeds they would be winning to donate for our contest next year?...we have a bee issue over here...sunflower heads do okay but the seeds are nothing but shells...so unable to use them for growing new plants the following year...I'll probably get by for this year...will be able to give out about 50 plants to our families this year, but all our families like growing sunflower heads...I have about 135 kids in our program this year...growing sunflowers (heads) seems to be the most popular to grow around here (probably because they don't take up space like the other giant plants...anyway, if you are ever interested in donating a few, please let me know at settlage@hawaii.edu...thanks!!

6/13/2020 10:14:00 PM

Norfolk, UK

@treetop - gene strain, I’d agree to get to the top. Sunflowers, more broadly are a variety of short day, long day or day neutral strains. I think various competition strains are potentially as well. The Hope sunflower strain (UK) seems be planted 1st week April but still growIng Oct vs the Butler I’m growing now which may have more vigour in a shorter period.

Sure there’s room for playing with plant breeding.

@KeaauSurferGirl - I don’t have any wide head seed, but with sunflowers being self pollinating (if no bees get to them) I suspect that empty seed heads may be a nutrient issue? Some had suggest led a little boron as heads form. Hope that helps

6/26/2020 2:45:19 PM

Wv

saladDoug i cant agree more.everyone please post what you grow and size at the end of your growing season. I would like to hold a contest on here for tall and bloom size. may be to late this yr. let me know if there is interest or not .Treetop

7/4/2020 3:52:07 PM

Cleveland, TN

I planted some tall sunflowers this year for the first time. Mine bloomed at about 6.5 feet— I must have done something wrong, they were supposed to get much taller.

7/4/2020 11:18:16 PM

50 Acres

Justin, I believe you have to keep the blossom covered and pull off some of the lower leaves. I think that will help it stretch out. Jim A few years back that is what I did and got 185 " growth.

7/5/2020 10:51:55 AM

Wixom MI.

Justin did you start your plants in pots ? I have found if you let them grow to big in pot to start before transplanting then in the ground that it will stunt them and cause them to bloom early.

7/5/2020 3:57:02 PM

Payson, Utah

When growing a big head on a sunflower should I remove all but the main flower?

7/6/2020 9:34:11 AM

Cleveland, TN

I did start them in pots (small ones) they were about 6'' when I transplanted them. 26- what did you cover the blooms with? Thanks.

7/12/2020 10:57:35 PM

Norfolk, UK

@26 West - whilst no expert on sunflowers, I would challenge the ‘take off lower leaves’ to make it stretch on first principle grounds. (In a good natured way :)

A leaf is on going to a sink until it’s fully developed, after which it becomes a positive net contributor.As it ages., it will contribute less.

If they were to negatively impact growth it suggests at some point they go from net contributor to net negative as they age further? What might cause this to be the case? I can’t think of anything. Am I missing something?

If that’s not the case tho, I can’t see any view that removing the engine of growth - however small - would result in greater heights.

It you had a branching variety tho, I’d remove Side shoots.

I’ve kept all my leaves on - it’s prob 240 inches (20ft) or more when I looked last.(flowering now)

I’ve seen the ‘bucket over the head job’ but believe that identifying if the strain you are growing is short / long or day neutral, is key to understanding what type of light manipulation or sowing dates might be most effective to extend the vegetative state. They will sit somewhere on the spectrum.

@treetoo - I’m game for the competition, but I might just have given away my sunflower height tho!(Pics in my diary). Perhaps a few inches to go.

7/16/2020 3:31:34 PM

Western PA

Pretty sure the strain that mine are grown from are called “ Craven Variety”.
They can produce black seeds, white seeds, and white and gray combo, seeds. All of my biggest have been the white and gray ones. Im talking big heads, not tall. I don't grow tall ones.

7/17/2020 12:39:43 PM

50 Acres

Justin sorry for the delay . It was just a cloth bag that let in little lite. SaladDoug the variety was White Lightning. It was off a 200 + plant. I have tried bag on bag off leaves on and leaves off, and am not sure of the best method. Jim

7/17/2020 4:42:43 PM

Wv

Great to see all the positive talk. Zappa good to see you on here with us. my seeds were from the Zappa they were black seed,they are not growing tall im just after head size. its been so dry here for weeks not sure how things will end have to wait and see. treetop

7/19/2020 10:57:57 AM

Wv

who has a good one going?

7/27/2020 11:35:10 AM