Big Sunflowers

I'm going a bit Sunflower mad this year I've decided after a friend in the US asked me to act as go between with some seeds of 'Giraffe' from Suttons (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-29067465) so I thought I'd try and grow some monsters too

I've ordered seeds of:

• 'Giraffe'
• 'Mongolian Giant'
• 'Titan'
• 'Skyscrapper'

has anyone grown these before? I've got loads of seeds so I think I'll probably be cornering the market on plants for sale in the local classifieds this year

 

I try to grow mongolian giant every year - the flowers do get huge but you just get one on each plant so Ive been pondering trying one of the multiheaded ones

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We grow Gelbe Riesen, most have single heads about 12inchs, but some times multi heads, height 10 -15 feet and we grow them at the ends with the runner beans

 

Thanks the pictures are all lovely and I do have a soft spot for red/orange colour sunflowers I've also bought some seeds of 'Evening Sun' which came in a multi pack of seeds from Poundland and it looks a lovely colour.

 

The multi-headed ones are useful for taking a few from each plant as cut flowers (remaining left for mainly for the birds and a few for next year's seeds), they don't need staking to support the plant and squirrels can't get up them (as they can with heavy stemmed, large headed varieties).

The big headed ones are useful for producing lots of seeds for hen food, but I always like some smaller ones for cut flowers

 

I've ordered some Sunzilla said to be biggys ,not multi stemmed though.

 

This thread is fantastic, I've really enjoyed looking at all your photos.
Every year I grow sunflowers but I have a constant fight with the dam slugs! This year I'm going to try beer traps! I can't use pellets because of my hens.
I've had a look on the Thompson Morgan website, they have some beautiful sunflower seeds on there!
I'm so excited about my garden this year, Im full of enthusiasm & I have so many ideas.

 

Alcoholic hens at yours soon so Beckie ...........

 

Oh gracious, my hens are nuts enough already!!!! , they certainly don't need any alcohol!!! .
I fence off the veggie patch & will bury the beer traps & put a piece of slate/Rock over them so the hens can't get to them! I never know how long a slug pellet lasts & I'm always conscious of my wild birds as well as my hens eating them!

 

Yesterday I decided due to the wet weather is get on & sow my sunflower seeds inside, they are in a propergator on the kitchen worktop infront of the window! It's quite warm in the kitchen & due to the big windows it's very bright. I've obviously watered them with room temperature water, is there anything else I need to do to ensure I get a good yield?
My plan is to have sunflowers all along my back boarder this year, as you all know I love my wild birds & my hens & want to encourage more birds as well as having a really pretty boarder!

 

What time is best? Its hard work resisting the urge to start sowing