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Location

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Date Posted

Dummer Twp - Ontario

OK going to grow some giant sunflowers next year, when do I start them and are there any other things I need to know when starting them, I have my long sticks lined up and my barrel and string also.

Kirk

12/27/2008 6:03:58 AM

Jericho Vermont

I start my sunflowers inside the week after I start my pumpkin seeds. I have found that they transplant quite well. As far as the care goe, I kind of ignore them. They receive the same overhead watering and ferts that the pumpkins do. I use 6 foot t-posts for support. My tallest sf is only 16 feet 8 inches, so surely no pro here.
John

12/28/2008 8:03:34 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

When starting indoors, I find that when they are breaking the soil surface, keep them really close to the light so they grow stort stems. If they get long lanky stems I find them harder to transplant and harder to train upward. I find that sunny's suffer from a powdery mildew and stem borers so using pumpkin fert/chem tactics on them as worked well for me.

12/29/2008 1:34:52 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Sunflowers do not need to be started inside. The have a really low germination temperature. Plant them in a well prepared soil. As soon as the ground is workable.

12/29/2008 2:12:03 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I would like to think starting indoors is why I inch out a win at the fair every year for largest head. When my head is at the fair, the petals are gone, the stamen/stigma are all rubbed off and the seeds are at maximum size giving the head it's best size. The competition always seems two or three weeks behind in head maturity. Last year I was getting half to three-quarters of an inch in circumference the week leading up to the fair. I think I ended up with a 55" CC

12/30/2008 2:21:42 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Oops, I meant half to three quarters of an inch each day of the week leading up to the fair. She was done when cut for delivery.

12/30/2008 2:23:49 PM

Colorado

giant sunflowers do better if you dont start them in a peat pot.If you start them inside put them in a plastic container that will transfer well to the garden.also,you can put them in early-they handle a mild frost well.

1/8/2009 11:42:17 AM