Advice on Sunflowers please?

Hi all, new member I've just joined in order to post this question.
Relatively new to gardening in general, particularly flowers. I'm trying to encourage my 4 children to take an active interest in all things nature, and one of the many things we've done is to grow a sunflower each. 1 of the 6 didn't make (but my eldest learnt a lesson!), 1 is struggling and a bit small, but 4 of them are 6ft plus! However, the last few days they have started to wilt. They are planted in an old tin bathtub with holes drilled in the bottom. I water them on days when it hasn't rained, and I don't think excessively. I've loosely tied them to bamboo sticks, but other than that they've been left to their own devices.

My kids would be disappointed and disheartened (as would I!) if they didn't flower, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't see any signs of disease, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. It's difficult to check the roots, but the soil level feels firm. The leaves towards the bottom almost feel 'crispy', and brittle. I can't decide if I'm over watering or under watering them!

Thank you all in advance.

Martyn.

 

In summer plants in a container need watering at least once a day....twice if it's a hot day. I think they're gasping for a drink! Give them a good soak and see what happens. Welcome to GC by the way!

 

Hi Martyn,



Welcome to Gardeners Corner

I'd say they needed a good soak.
Even on the days that it rains it probably wouldn't be enough to wet more than the top 1/2 " of soil/compost. You'd be surprised how much water is lost just through evaporation.

 

They look better than mine if a little bit overcrowded maybe.?

Plenty water,a bit of tomato feed and make sure theres enough drainage holes in that container.

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner. With the amount in the tub I suspect they have sapped it of nutrients so feeding is probably a good idea and of course you need to keep watering as other members have said.