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Every year I try to grow sun flowers and I fail always. I've tried starters and buying bigger more developed plants, but still they die. I liv

Every year I try to grow sun flowers and I fail always. I've tried starters and buying bigger more developed plants, but still they die. I live in the Greenlake area where the soil can be a bit clay like, but my neighbors will have these giant flowers and claim how easy it was to grow. Any tips would be great!

redchairsalon asked in Flowers about 1 year ago | Report

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  • Cedar_photo_small
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    I am not, I repeat, not a gardener, but I have managed to keep sunflowers alive so I'll chime in. Are you planting them in super direct sun like,absolutely no shade? They seem to like that at my house, anyway.

    Cedarthvader answered in Flowers about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Finn3goof_small
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    Tom

    First, what sort of seed are you using? Do not use seeds from a neighbor or anybody unless they know what they are doing. Some sun flower varieties are open pollinated but others are hybrids and the resulting seed will may not be viable or result in the plant you want.

    Second, prep your bed with compost and new top soil. If you want to be quick and dirty just buy a couple of bags of good dirt, dig out a piece of the flower bed, and dump the bag right there into a small mound so that the center is bit higher. You can plant right into that mound.

    Third point- Sunflowers don't much like being transplanted. Direct seeding is best. If you want to give the plant a head start you can germinate the seed in a wet paper towel, plop it in the soil and make a small greenhouse over the seed with a plastic soda bottle or something. This is probably not necessary.

    If you do want to transplant seedlings from indoors or from a framed greenhouse you should use larger pots and go through a hardening process before you put the seedling outside.

    Where the plant is growing can be a big factor. Sunflowers love full sun and warmth. So pick a spot with very little shade and close as possible to a house or some other structure. They love it.

    Slugs, squirrels, etc all love to eat the seedlings so some protection may be necessary. They also love soils rich in nitrogen.

    Good luck.

    Tom answered in Flowers about 1 year ago | Report
    2 comments by redchairsalon and Tabitha Borchardt…
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  • 157828_100000147199500_3983013_n_small
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    Nitrogen is key. I planted a bed that had sunflowers in front and snap peas in the back. Peas and beans infuse the soil with nitrogen, giving your sunflowers what they need to grow big. Sun is of course a must. I put a big piece of screen over my bed until my seeds sprouted so as to protect them from birds. Also, put a little tray of beer in the bed to kill slugs. When your sprouts are est. take off the screen and put mulch in the bed to prevent weeds and feed the soil. This should do the trick. Also, check to make sure you are planting them at the correct time. Early June works best.

    Bradford Schroeder answered in Flowers about 1 year ago | Report
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