Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by donnabaskets 7b-8 MS (My Page) on

Sat, Apr 13, 13 at 17:54

I love sunflowers. I have never had much success with sunflowers. But, I love sunflowers, so I always succumb to temptation and buy seed.

So. Are they strictly a bloom once and done plant? Are there any that bloom all summer?I want them for cut flowers, so I don't mind to deadhead.

And, I have read posts on the forums that seem to hint that maybe these flowers don't play nice with their neighbors. Cannot think of the term, but do they send out a "poison" like black walnuts?

I refuse to believe that I cannot grow them! Somebody tell me the ins, outs, and unvarnished truth, please!

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RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by ladyrose65 6bNJ (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 14, 13 at 0:55

I've never had a problem with them. If you keep them pinched back, you will get more branches with more flowers. They seed over in my garden, but they are different because I plant a lot of hybrids.

I never heard of poisoning? Are you growing for consumption? Those are limited to specific varieties.

RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by docmom z5 MI (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 14, 13 at 7:46

As long as the rabbits or slugs don't get them when they are small, I find them quite easy. Choose a variety appropriate for your goals. I love the bushy plants with lots of small blooms. They seem to keep blooming until frost. If you want flowers for bouquets, check with the Cutting Garden forum for recommendations. If you find your plants pooping out early, maybe try successively plantings so you always have new blooms coming. I'm no expert. I've only grown them twice,since I have limited sun. Hopefully more knowledgeable folk will chime in. Good luck.

Martha

RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by freki 5a (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 14, 13 at 19:39

Mine seem to play well, but there are 2 things you should know.

1) they draw metals from the soil. If you have any contamination in your soil, don't compost them.

2) the flowers will last until the finches/chipmunks/squirrels find them. This will be roughly 0.002 seconds after the seeds ripen.

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Posted by susanzone5 z5NY (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 14, 13 at 20:49

And, the finches pluck out the petals to speed up the seed ripening!

RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by woodnative 6 (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 15, 13 at 8:13

There are a lot of different types. 'Mammoth' which is popular for large seeds for eating has one large flower. Many other types produce side branches with multiple flowers and there are even several pollenless types used for cutflowers. As mentioned above, plant them in good soil and protect them when they first come up and you should be fine.

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Posted by linaria 7 (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 15, 13 at 15:33

and they are heavy feeders, so make sure they are not starving and be generous with compost/ fert etc,
bye, Lin

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Posted by donnabaskets 7b-8 MS (My Page) on
Tue, Apr 16, 13 at 17:22

okay, well. I am going to try them again! ....If this weather ever settles down and warms up!

RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by lucille Houston (My Page) on
Tue, Apr 16, 13 at 22:28

I grow a reddish sunflower that branches and continues to flower for quite a while.
Sunflowers are allelopaths.

Here is a link that might be useful: Allelopaths

RE: Give me the scoop on sunflowers.

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Posted by donnabaskets 7b-8 MS (My Page) on
Thu, Apr 18, 13 at 16:23

Thank you, Lucille. That is just what I wanted to know and the article was very helpful.

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