Growing sunflowers
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Sunflowers like full sun.
When you plant them, plant each seed about 1 inch deep and at lest six inches apart. These seeds have an 80% chance of germinating so, you might plant two seeds for every one plant that you want. You can always thin them after they come up. Be sure to water them after planting. It usually takes a week or so for the seedlings to appear. This seems to depend alot on how warm it is. You can start your sunflower indoors. We like to use pots made out of peat because you can transfer them straight into the soil when it's warmed up. |
 ,Photo from About My Area |
If you are going to grow your sunflower in a pot, it's best to have a pot at least 15" deep. The deeper and larger the better because these plants like to send their roots out, out, out....
You'll want to keep the soil moist and fertilize them every other week. I usually water them heavily once a week when they are getting started (about a month) and then water a little bit every day.
Comments
case of the disappearing sunflower plants
Dear Gretchen,
I received my seeds (many thanks!) and planted them on April 26th. Over a dozen seedlings came up, however, one by one they disappeared. White-crowned sparrows live in the ceramic tiles of my neighbor's house & I wonder if they were the culprits... I put mesh over the seedlings and still they disappeared. One day my children discovered a deep hole near where another seedling had disappeared.
We would like to contribute to the study, however at the moment we have one 19-inch sunflower plant and a 3-inch one. Would you advise planting more seeds or is it too late? Will data from 1 or 2 sunflowers still be valuable?
Rebekah, Josiah & Sasha
Bee-lovers in Richmond, CA
Trouble with plants groing
Hi all,
I am having trouble after germination with my plants dying. I started growing in peat pods and when the plants have grown around 10" I would transplant to a pot. After placing in the new pot and watering I would place in the sun to start placing the pot outside to statrt acclimating it to the weather. Then within a week the plants would die. I have tried growing all types of flowers and other plants which have resulted in the ame fate. I am wondering if anyone can help with some suggestions who have the same weather type as I ( dry heat, no humidity and full sun).The plants seem to dry out really quick no matter how much and how often I water.
Thanks for any help.
Paul
late bloomer
I just read about the project in the Chronicle and would very much like to participate. I hope it is not too late to join in. After several years in a foggy belt of SF, I've just moved to a sunny spot in North Berkeley where sunflowers would do very well.
Your not the only one
I read the article as well and immediately had to sign up. The article implied it wasn't too late to join in I certainly hope that is the case.
Sunflower Project
My sunflower seeds never came up last year. I look forward to trying again this year.
Bee Course
Will the Bee Course offered this year, and if so, could you please send me info. Also, can I get seeds for this year to grow?
Seeds
Have not reeived my seeds. Is there a problem?
May your days always be sunny,
Susette
seeds not germinating
I recieved my packet of seeds at least 2 months ago. I planted them over a week ago indoors. One seed germinated. Please send me another packet with better germination rate.
shoot!
You must have gotten one of the bad seed packets. Apologies. I've dropped a new one in the mail to you today.
Bees
Have seen several "bumble bees" out in the garden, are you concerned about these also, or just wanting information on the "honey bees'?
Also, is there competition between the bumblee bees, yellow jackets and honey bees? Know all do pollinate somewhat, thanks, L. Selkowe ( amylvs@aol.com)
We want to know about all bees
Yes, definitely tell us about any other bees. We don't want to know about yellow jackets though - they are wasps. It's been difficult to tell whether there is competition among bees that has a negative effect. The most recent work that I've seen shows that bumble bees produce fewer offspring when near honey bees. We also know that when other bees are around, honey bees become much better pollinators. They move more quickly from flower to flower!