John's growing tips

Sunflower growing tips

Sunflowers grow well in most soil types except heavy clay. They prefer a sheltered sunny site. Your sunflower is “hardened off” and is ready for planting. Adding well rotted manure or spent compost and a handful of general fertiliser to the planting site will be beneficial.

Make a planting hole twice the size of the pot. Gently tap the plant out of the pot retaining the compost around the roots. Plant sunflower 1” deeper than in pot. Backfill and gently firm in. After planting water in well and stake firmly.

Once the sunflower is growing regular watering and liquid feeding will also be beneficial. Remember to keep the sunflower firmly staked as it grows and release ties if they become tight.

Pest and diseases

Sunflowers are generally disease free but they frequently suffer from slug damage. It is very important to protect them from slugs. A few slug pellets placed under a tile or similar at the base of the plant should be sufficient. Once the plant is established and growing well slugs should not present a problem.

If you sunflower has exceeded 9FT (2.7 m) by early August and you wish to enter it in the “Tallest Sunflower Competition” please contact Jane by phone (07748 996886) or by email (janekelly111@hotmail.com) and arrangements will be made to measure it.

There is also a competition for the Widest Sunflower Head. This would be measured at the same time.

Presentation of prizes will take place at 3:00 pm on Sunday September 21st at the Rose & Crown public house in Bocking.

All proceeds will be divided equally between the Roy Castle Lung Cancer (Charity No. 1046854) and the British Heart Foundation (Charity No. 225971) Charities.

GOOD LUCK !