Sunflowers

[berksmike]

Got some sunflower seedlings and just wondered when everybody thinks would be a safe time to put them out in their pots? We're in Berks

I know they are supposed to be hardy but don't want to needlessly lose any

Many Thanks

Mike

[greenlung]

Hi Mike - I always lose about 25% to slugs, wind, duds etc. I started off in small pots on indoor window ledges 10 days ago and they're just emerging. Won't put 'em out 24 hrs a day for at least a month, especially not with the weather getting colder over the next week. Good luck !

There's some photos of the ones I grew last year on my blog, if you fancy a peek....
http://greenlung.blogspot.com/2006_1...g_archive.html

[berksmike]

Thanks Greenlung

Was also wondering what size pots people would recommend for final planting out when it gets warmer.. The varieties I am growing are Lemon Queen (7') and Double Shine (2')

Thanks

Mike

[nick the grief]

I assume they are in 3" pots now so move them up to a 5" and keep an eye on them if needed move them on again into a 7" it all depends on the rootball, you want them to fill the pot & use all the feed but not to get pot bound which will check them.

[serenity]

beware the wind our sunflowers last year grew HUGE. They were stakes usig 7 ft bamboo caes but easily outgrew these. Soo as the flowers opened the wind got them
heres a picture we caught just before this one toppled

[Snadger]

beware the wind our sunflowers last year grew HUGE. They were stakes usig 7 ft bamboo caes but easily outgrew these. Soo as the flowers opened the wind got them
heres a picture we caught just before this one toppled

What a wonderful photo!

[WiZeR]

I have started some off in root trainers? would this be ok?