Five Mistakes to Avoid Growing Giant Sunflowers from seed

[@andiincali.4663]

A big mistake would be not watching this video! Thank you! Other videos I've watched make it sound like you don't need to amend the soil at all. I knew that wasn't right, of course. All these tips apply as a general rule, whatever you plant. I've got American Giant, Skyscraper and Mammoth Grey Stripe seeds. We'll see how it goes. This is my first time growing the big ones. How do you keep them from cross pollinating? Do you have to separate the varieties far apart?

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Andi and thanks very much for your supportive comment. Regarding cross pollinating, I don't think you can do much about that as you have no control over pollinating insects and the distances they travel. If you are trying to produce seed for record breaking sunflowers then there is probably no harm in hybridising a selection of suitable guant cultivars. If you want the seeds to grow as true to a particular parent then only grow that specific cultivar. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. Simon

[@andiincali.4663]

@@walkingtalkinggardeners I'm using them to create a quick privacy screen initially. I wanted layers of different heights. This property had a beautiful garden at one time. I intend to restore it to it's former glory. Somebody really liked sunflowers too. I want to keep up the tradition.

[@lastmanstanding5338]

My mammoths cross pollinated with my neighbor’s smaller multi head sunflowers. Ruined my seeds but the next years growth was phenomenal. 15ft+ stocks with multiple heads looked amazing.

[@gluemuncher1986]

Mistake number 6 would be planting them in a pot instead of directing sowing them in the ground. They produce an enormous tap root within weeks of germinating, and a pot can suppress the roots.

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Absolutely, we have covered this in a video we took last week, but we are still waiting for the seeds to germinate before we can edit. Should be published in the next few weeks. Thanks for sharing your advice. Kind regards Simon

[@reneelyons6836]

Nice video. I have one lonely sun flower growing. The rest got chopped off with a weed eater. 😢This is my first year gardening. I'm having a blast!!

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

I feel your pain, the farmer put lambs in the field behind us and while we were away for a few days two of my sunflowers grew within reach if the top of the fence and the sheep eat the tops off. Aren't we a pair. Kind regards Simon

[@reneelyons6836]

@@walkingtalkinggardeners We are a pair. I'm sorry.

[@duvessa2003]

Very helpful! Wish me luck. My success the past few years has been limited 🙁

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

I'm sorry to hear that. I do have another sunflower video on my channel that may give some more tips, but in the meantime, I will wish you the very best of luck. Kind regards, Simon

[@kimkeller8126]

I directly planted mine into the ground. They are coming up really nice. I got ones that are called Skyscraper. I hope they get really tall 😂😂

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Kim. I've not heard of that one here in the UK. I would be interested in how you get on with it. Simon

[@jbsprojects8186]

I bought real nice seeds from tractor supply and barely got anything out of it, then bottom at Walmart for $1.20 and I have over 20 plants that are 4 ft tall and just a few weeks with plants are growing like their weeds in Nevada desert lol

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

See, you can't even trust the premium seed suppliers. Always check the expiry date on seed packets as germinate viability drops off over time. This can be a surprising short period with some seeds! Simon

[@maryaunna1]

I bury mine up to first leaves , mine have thick stocks.

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Mary and thanks for sharing your experience. I think I may have to steal this technique and see how it fares here. Kind regards, Simon

[@jimmyalvinewart6361]

Hi Simon. Is too late to sow sunflower seeds

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Jimmy and thanks for your question. I would say yes it is, but if you already have the seed and you want to give it a go I would say why not otherwise you will have to wait until next spring. However I wouldn't sow in a pot I would direct sow in a site that receives full sun. Good luck. Simon

[@berniegray4987]

Sunflower seedlings and when in bloom can survive to minus 28 degrees. Zone 5b.

[@berniegray4987]

Meant, 28 degrees.

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

Do you ever have trouble with animals digging your plants up?

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

No problem with the plants, but I have a problem with a cat pooping on the barkchips before scraping the barkchips out onto the path! This happens several times everyday. Simon

[@angelalavikoff2657]

That's how to do it.

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Yes, they are super easy, really. So long as you can keep the slugs off them. I think I've still got 6 waiting to flower. Simon

[@bobbybrown840]

💙

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

You are very welcome, Bobby. Simon

[@grahamcracker659]

this is very scare my cat is sad

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

I am sorry to hear that, and my apologies to your cat. Simon

[@nuriahali7807]

I guees i just make a mistake by not giving enaugh nutriens to my sunflower plans,they are kong sunflower but only grow 4 ft tall and already start blooming, i want tht tall sunflower walls...😭😭😭

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

This is possible, however you may also have been sold dodgy seeds! I had this issue last year. Simon

[@maryaunna1]

You only get 6 seed per pack lol

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Indeed, all these fancy varieties come with a premium price. It shouldn't be so but that is how the industry is.