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3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

Hi all,
Just curious when would a good time be to start big sunflower seeds and any particular method to getting them going...thanks, Erik
(P.s. Thanks wayne for all the seeds you sent me!!!too cool my friend!!!)

4/14/2011 9:01:56 PM

Team Canuckle Heads

I start mine the first nice week after May 1, direct seeding into the ground.

4/15/2011 6:07:10 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Erik, yer welcome, and wait for soil temps to come up...sunflowers do not transplant well...IMHO!!! Peace, Wayne

4/16/2011 2:59:42 AM

McMinnville, Oregon

I love sunflowers and plant several variaties including last years winner and mammouth greystripe.Of course i dont even start them until the pumpkins & gourds are established. They make a natural barrier letting people and animals know there boundries. I like to make a mass planting in a clear container such as baked chickens are sold. Paying close attention to germination, I plant newly sprouted seeds precisly in groups of 3&5or7 approx 2FT apart with smaller varieties in front or to the sides for brilliant display. I yank the leaves off in a quick upward direction to allow sunlight for pumpkins? I dont think it effects the flower or plant negetively? I also remove stalks to burnpile as partt of annual cleanup or you will have volunteers everywhere.
DBH

4/16/2011 3:55:11 AM

Rochester, NY

Good advise JLB. If I see a nice warm week forecasted anytime after May 1st I sometimes take a chance and direct seed them as well. I then hope a cold spell doesn't unexpectedly show up. If there is a chance of cool or cold and rainy whether it's best to wait as the cold temps will slow down growth. Planting the seeds pointed end down will help as that is the end the root sprouts from.

4/16/2011 10:55:25 AM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

Thanks for the great advice you guys!! Will follow!! Erik

4/16/2011 1:00:29 PM

Navarre,OH

I sowed directly into the ground last year and had a hell of a time with pests(cuc. beetles, bunnies etc) eating the seedlings as they came up. I had 0 sunflowers last year. :(

4/16/2011 4:27:04 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Oh yeah, bunnies & sometimes birds were a prblm around here also, till I figured it out. Sometimes I would find a whole row of lil holes (birds pecking seeds out of the ground, sometimes small sprouts eaten down to soil level...bunnies) All sunflowers, and beans, get a remay tunnel until about 6" tall & then the bunnies don't seem to bother em anymore. I post a piece or rebar about 12" tall at each end of each row, tie a string b/tween em and lay remay OTT, bricks or soil to hold remay down on either side of the row!! I only use the remay for a few weeks, then roll it back up and store it. Seems to be holding up well after 3 seasons of use. Cheap solution to a very irritating prblm!!! Hope this helps. Peace, Wayne

4/16/2011 11:26:44 PM

Rochester, NY

When the seedlings just pop up they are very vulnerable to birds, insects, slugs etc. Take some coffee cans about 8"x8" remove the bottom and place it around your seedlings. To really protect them place a ring of diatomaceous earth around the seedling and can. It doesn't hurt worms but cuts insects to ribbons.

4/17/2011 10:33:12 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Steve, the coffee cans are for cutworm protection? Peace, Wayne

4/19/2011 2:49:22 AM

Rochester, NY

PW, they protect from most anything, slugs, cutworms, rabbits, woodchucks, deer etc. They also provide a little wind protection and make the plants stretch a little to get the light. Which if you are growing for height is a good thing.

4/19/2011 7:51:11 AM

Ohio

interesting idea with the coffee cans. last year my yard cat dug one up, so I'll use the cans this year

4/19/2011 9:32:32 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I am now understanding why, in my garage there are hundreds of half gallon pots w/ the bottom cut out of them. My dad must have had a secret, he dint tell me about!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

4/19/2011 11:00:09 PM

Navarre,OH

I'm liking the coffee can idea!

4/20/2011 8:24:14 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

Seeds sown as of 5/15 and cut bottom cans have been installed! Excellent idea gents!!! Erik

5/22/2011 8:09:29 PM