Sunflowers…

This is my very first time attempting to grow sunflowers.  I wanted to collect the seeds so I planted two edible types.

Last week, just as the tallest of the bunch was almost ready to bloom, some critter (who I hazard to guess is black, furry with a long tail and has a propensity for climbing and stealing strawberries) who I cannot firmly identify — as I did not see the actual incident– RIPPED the entire head off the sunflower and shredded it all over the back yard.  I was inconsolable… the seeds wouldn’t have even been really formed at that point!

Anyway, the second tallest sunflower actually made it to blooming without being decapitated 2 days ago, Michael climbed a ladder to get great photos, and I have high hopes on harvesting seeds.

– Seeds purchased at WestCoast Seeds and planted (indoors in Jiffy Pellets) early-June 2010.  Seedlings were transplanted into the garden about 2 weeks later.  This is either a Grey Stripe Confectionary or a Titan.  I planted both and now cannot tell them apart.

– Interestingly, I planted the first round of seeds directly in the garden in mid-May and only one grew… which was promptly eaten by whatever is eating ALL my seedlings out there this year.

Note: the taller, flower-less stem on the right... so sad!

Sunflower photos by Michael James Horrocks 2010. Used with permission.

Chat with MCD!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.