I live in Michigan, and I'd love to participate in the project. However, since I live in an apartment, my only gardening space is my balcony; would it be feasible to grow these sunflowers in containers?
I lived in a condo many years ago and like to challenge normal gardening beliefs. I grew sunflowers (I think they were a Teddy Bear variety or similar) in a large container and they did great! I actually had a lot of flowers instead of just one on each plant. You should go for it! :)
How fun to have them at work! They do need to be outside (but you knew that....HAHAHA!). I will plant in most anything that will hold soil from old watering cans and milk cans to cool old funnels. Old apple baskets are fun, too. For the sunflowers you could probably even use a 5 gal or bigger bucket. Not pretty but functional with holes in the bottom.
For work, I would just find a pretty container at least 18" across and 15-18" deep. Bigger would be better. Start your seeds at home in a sunny window. Depending on your temperatures, put the pots of starts outside during the day and then bring them in at night to "harden" them off. That way when you do put them in their new home, they will already be used to being outside. Get some big stakes (bamboo works) and you will be good to go.
I agree with what was said about soils. I am very particular (have a small nursery) and will only use Supersoil. It is sold at Home Depot and a few other places. You can check their website. I add a bunch of peat moss and perlite and mix all in a 32 gallon garbage can. I always use Osmocote for containers. It is a slow release fertilizer that works great. For fucshias and other hanging baskets I also add a few drops of Super Thrive. The results will blow you away with your flowering containers.
This is so much fun already and I don't even have seeds. LOL! I do have some Giant Grey Stripe in the greehouse but not sure if those are what we will be using.
I would like to chime in here and suggest something for your container, the potting mix that contains fertilizer and the super absorbent polymer is the best thing for containers as it is basically has it all. Plus, you will only have half as much watering to do. I would recommend that you use anything that is convenient to your balcony as a container, decorative large planters are great but, a white painters bucket will work also if you drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Don't forget that sunflowers provide more than just pollen for the bees. They become a source of food for the birds come fall and that is a great show too! By planting sunflowers you will be doing a favor for nature for several seasons. nuff said!
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Technorati
Containers are fine though bigger is better!
Sunflowers do best in containers that are 15-18 inches deep or deeper. You'll want to be sure to keep them well watered and fertilized.
Sunflowers in containers
I lived in a condo many years ago and like to challenge normal gardening beliefs. I grew sunflowers (I think they were a Teddy Bear variety or similar) in a large container and they did great! I actually had a lot of flowers instead of just one on each plant. You should go for it! :)
Amazing stuff
Omg Terri, really?
I think this is amazing and I'm definetly going for it!
I got some space to manage 'em in my garden, but I
just thought about bringing some to my workplace, just
for the colors and the beauty you know...
I tried sometimes and I only had luck with some violets
(Saintpaulia ionantha Wenoll) and smaller flowers like this one...
What type of container did u exactly used and what about the fertilizer?
Do you think it can work out even in my office?
One more time, thanks!
_______________________
[]'s
How fun to have them at
How fun to have them at work! They do need to be outside (but you knew that....HAHAHA!). I will plant in most anything that will hold soil from old watering cans and milk cans to cool old funnels. Old apple baskets are fun, too. For the sunflowers you could probably even use a 5 gal or bigger bucket. Not pretty but functional with holes in the bottom.
For work, I would just find a pretty container at least 18" across and 15-18" deep. Bigger would be better. Start your seeds at home in a sunny window. Depending on your temperatures, put the pots of starts outside during the day and then bring them in at night to "harden" them off. That way when you do put them in their new home, they will already be used to being outside. Get some big stakes (bamboo works) and you will be good to go.
I agree with what was said about soils. I am very particular (have a small nursery) and will only use Supersoil. It is sold at Home Depot and a few other places. You can check their website. I add a bunch of peat moss and perlite and mix all in a 32 gallon garbage can. I always use Osmocote for containers. It is a slow release fertilizer that works great. For fucshias and other hanging baskets I also add a few drops of Super Thrive. The results will blow you away with your flowering containers.
This is so much fun already and I don't even have seeds. LOL! I do have some Giant Grey Stripe in the greehouse but not sure if those are what we will be using.
container sunflowers
I would like to chime in here and suggest something for your container, the potting mix that contains fertilizer and the super absorbent polymer is the best thing for containers as it is basically has it all. Plus, you will only have half as much watering to do. I would recommend that you use anything that is convenient to your balcony as a container, decorative large planters are great but, a white painters bucket will work also if you drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Don't forget that sunflowers provide more than just pollen for the bees. They become a source of food for the birds come fall and that is a great show too! By planting sunflowers you will be doing a favor for nature for several seasons. nuff said!