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Helianthus
(Sunflowers) Growing giant
sunflowers From
The Garden magazine Growing a giant sunflower
can be good fun, especially for children, but
demands an early start, rich conditions and regular
watering. Garden News, who have organised giant
sunflower competitions in recent years, recommend
sowing three seeds in a 3in/7.5cm pot in late March
at about 60-65C/10-13C. After germination remove
the two weaker seedlings and grow on the strongest
at about 60F/10C. Prepare a site about
2ft/60cm square in a sunny part of the garden by
removing the top spit of soil and mixing it with a
barrowload of well rotted garden compost. Remove
the second spit of soil and dump it elsewhere then
fill the hole with the soil/compost mixture. In
late April cover the site with a cloche or clear
polythene to warm it then plant out your sunflower
in about mid-May. Be prepared to protect it against
the last frosts. Ten days after planting
work in a generous handful of a general fertiliser
then as the plant develops apply a liquid feed
every week. Use a high nitrogen fertiliser at first
then change to a balanced or high potash feed to
help strengthen the stems. Water regularly and
thoroughly, mulch with 3in/7.5cm of manure, make
sure the plant is well supported on canes or wires
and pinch out any side shoots. Then by the end of summer
your only problem is how to measure it. The world
record sunflower, grown in 1986 by M. Heijmf from
Oirschot in The Netherlands, stands at 25ft 51/2in;
the British record is 23ft 61/2in and has been held
by F. Kelland of Exeter since 1976. First
published in The Garden, July 1996
Helianthus
(Sunflowers) A-Z
