Is it too early to sow sunflowers?

[selfraising]

Does anyone know how best to support the giant ones? I've heard the stems get quite thick and the flower is heavy, so thinking I might need to get some sort of support in at some stage.

[windowsillqueen]

I grow them against a sunny wall with a bean net pinned to it. As the sunflower grows up I tie string loops onto the net to support the sunflower. Does that make sense?

[selfraising]

I grow them against a sunny wall with a bean net pinned to it. As the sunflower grows up I tie string loops onto the net to support the sunflower. Does that make sense?

So do you fix the bean net to the wall and if so, how do I do that?

[veggielover]

my 2 children are having a competition with sunflowers!! who's popped out first ( it was my sons ) who's is growing quickest ( my daughters ) eventually they will be measured to see who's is the biggest. No prize at the end, i just wanted them to join in with me in growing stuff, after school they rush out to see whats happened since the day before..... they are keen on growing more stuff so planning on giving them their own bed and leaving them to it!! I'm just worried that they might be more successful than me!! lol

[FionaH]

That reminds me, must buy sunflower seeds!

[FionaH]

So do you fix the bean net to the wall and if so, how do I do that?

I use masonary nails

[Mrscrob]

I have slabs next to my shed and it's the only place I can think of putting my sunflower/s. Would they grow ok in large pots or would they run out of space?

[DaveC]

I grew several in large pots last year and they were fine, I did need to water them lots though. The only thing is that I needed to put a cane in the ground to support the plant (not thinking at first, i put the cane in the pot and then realised my error when the whole thing blew over!!)

I live in Yorkshire and we still get frosts sometimes up to may, will sunflowers still be ok outside?

[Naga]

I am sowing Sunflowers too! I got mine from Aldi and I think it's called Giant. I will check though. Gonna so mine in Pete Pellets first I think.

[selfraising]

I grew several in large pots last year and they were fine, I did need to water them lots though. The only thing is that I needed to put a cane in the ground to support the plant (not thinking at first, i put the cane in the pot and then realised my error when the whole thing blew over!!)

I live in Yorkshire and we still get frosts sometimes up to may, will sunflowers still be ok outside?

I'm not sure how frost tender they are either Dave but I'm keeping mine in unheated gh for now and taking out during the day. Also, I just know that slugs will have a go if I plant them out too small Will wait and see what others say.

[DaveC]

Thanks selfraising

[Jenegade]

Can you sow Sunflowers outside yet? Under a bottle cloche perhaps?

[jackie j]

The ones I grew last year had huge stems and the flower on one weighed in at over 5lb I tied them to the fence they were growing against but that is short compared to the sunflowers as they grew to over 9ft tall, they also damaged the fence at the bottom with the roots as I had to cut them free. This year I am going to put them elsewhere on the plot as a screen to the compost bins and get 8ft tall canes will need a ladder to tie them in though.

[Naga]

My ones are called Giant Single. I just brought some more called Red Velvet, can't wait to get these going as they look lovely.

[Gwyndy]

Mine are bout 4" high and in the cold frame to harden them off and slow them down a bit!!