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Sunflowers
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Posted by WendysCritters SW-WAz8 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 14, 04 at 9:59
I would like to grow giant sunflowers. Two kinds, for height and for flower heads.
Can someone recommend varieties to try?
Do you know a seed source on where to get giant seeds?
Anyone have any secret growing tips?
Thanks!
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sunflowers
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- Posted by romy z4 Ont. (My Page) on
Sun, Mar 14, 04 at 10:19
Hi there, I'm trying a new Sunflower this year by the name of Kong (as in King). They get 11' tall with numerous heads. Try a company called OSC Seeds Waterloo, Ontario
N2J 3Z6. If that doesn't work I can mail you some. |
RE: Sunflowers
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Well, for height, I would recommend Russian Mammoth (also a great seed plant). Without any special help they get to 9-12' tall. If you give them some good drinks (one with fish emulsion would have very good results), and a slow release fertilizer they REALLY grow.
For seeds, I would suggest Israeli (stocky plant, but a 10-14" head with large edible seeds) or the Miriam Edible. Hope this helped. =) |
RE: Sunflowers
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mammoth grey stripe produce giant seed heads.i quit growing
them because of squirrel problems.My biggest was 21in. in dia.
and 11ft. tall ihave seen them over 24inches in dia.
For giant heads feed heavy with phosphorous.
For tall plants feed heavy with nitrogen. stake and give them
at least a 3x3 sq.ft.space. one scource P&P seed co.
good luck
Ron |
RE: Sunflowers
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Thank you everyone -- this has been a great help.
I love this new forum! ~Wendy |
RE: Sunflowers
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| I plan on planting about 100 sunflowers in a long row,,, partly as a hedge. I have 4 varieties,, including the "Kong". How do I stake that many? How tall does the stakes need to be,,,, Will a 5' metal fence stake every 6 feet with wire stretched between work? Thanks,,,, R |
RE: Sunflowers
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| "Canadian GIANT" got 14 feet tall with no fertilizer. I also grew "Velvet Queen", very pretty, I grew one with 82 heads, not giant, but an awesome effect. |
RE: Sunflowers
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| I am growing sunflowers for the first time this year. I am using the Russian Mammoth...and the Skyscraper...They are growing inches everyday! I can't wait to look out my kitchen windows and see big beautiful flowers. My husband dislikes them...but he loves me..so big sunflowers it will be!! They are planted along the chain link fence that separates our two homes...and I had extra seedlings so I planted them (5) all together under the water spigot!! |
RE: Sunflowers
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| There's a type sold in the dollar stores, "mammoth" that I've been growing. It gets an easy 10' and costs a mere 10 cts per pack. RCrawford, you don't need to stake sunflowers. It's very windy where I live and I've lost only 1 sunflower in 3 yrs of gardening here. That was on a day when we had severe wind gusts and only that one decided to fall. |
RE: Sunflowers
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| Kind of off topic, but anyone out there have expierence with cooking sunflower buds like artichokes? We're considering marketing some as such at a farm market. |
RE: Sunflowers
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Frank,
I've never heard of this.... do you do it when they are fresh new buds or after they have developed seeds? Sounds interesting. ~Wendy |
RE: Sunflowers
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| Wendy, To be honest, I only just recently heard of it, so can't give you much info. It's my understanding that the immature heads are used (as with an artichhoke). I've only found two recipes online, and one of them seemed entirely too complicated. Here's the other (last on the page):
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/1424/Recipies.html Beyond this, I've just found an occassional passing reference. |
RE: Sunflowers
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| I grow giant sunflowers as a hobby. Check out the pictures on my web page. It has lots of information about the different giant varieties. http://www.geocities.com/sunflower_info/ |
Here is a link that might be useful: 15 + foot craven variety sunflower
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