Almost everyone over here knows what happened when I tried to plant Dwarf Sunflower seeds. For those that don't, let me just say that it was a colossal disappointment (aside from a total waste of my time and energy)... However, this time I am planting regular local Sunflowers. They are not Dwarf (as those are almost impossible to find here). But they still can be placed in pots at my rooftop garden. So far I've got 2 rad colored Sunflowers sprouted (the seeds for which my neighbor gave me). And over 20 yellow ones (the seeds of which I bought at the Flower Show)! Anyway, below is what I've got to show at this point in time. 2 Red Sunflowers ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Red Sunflower seedling ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) And these below are the regular Sunflowers! Seed pack ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Sunflower seedings ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Sunflower seedlings up close ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Those seedlings are going to grow up and be absolutely gorgeous I'm sure S-H. I've never had a problem growing sunflowers here - in fact I don't even sow any seeds but still they grow in my garden every year. How you may ask? Well the birds feed on the seeds put our by my neighbour and drop some into my garden.
That indeed is so nice Eileen. I of course have been fascinated with Sunflowers as far as I can remember. I also find Vincent Van Gogh's paintings very interesting - To which my father always points his finger at me and says: "Don't you dare think off slicing of your ear you hear!?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! :-D
I planted some "Mammoth" sunflower seeds about a week ago and noticed a few sprouts! I also have a few other varieties that Toni sent me. One is a "Junior". I've got the started indoors, but hopefully in a couple weeks they will be ready to get planted. If they do well, you can count on me posting some pics.
perhaps you and I can exchange seeds later. I've really never had a chance to grow Mammoth Sunflower before! By the way, the Red colored Sunflowers which I'm also growing here - Add an amazing contrast you any garden. Anyway, I just now saw something which I had never seen before. GREEN Sunflowers! So, has anyone over here tried growing these? I mean, is it real or someone out there playing a practical joke on us all??? http://www.amazon.com/Green-Ice-Sunflow ... B000SAKLK6
Sure S-H, no problem with sharing the seeds. IF they make it to that point. And that Green one is awesomE!
OK, so we have a deal! And as for the green one, well, I too get shocked every time I look at it! And here is another very interesting article on how to grow giant Sunflowers - With a disk of about 2 feet in diameter, and the plant height reaching to over 16 feet!!! http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/gr ... lower.html Unfortunately, they do not sell any seeds outside the continental US and Canada...
I'm sure you will have better luck with these plants. Interesting green sunflowers. No problem with sunflowers here, the birds drop them everywhere. If they grow tall enough they become squirrel food. Jerry
OK people, here is what I've got to report so far. The first picture is of the Red colored Sunflower seedling, while the other is of the yellow one. Both seem to be growing a extra fast these days, already they are over an inch tall! Maybe because it's early Summer over here, or maybe because these seeds are local. So they are better suited to my weather conditions. Red colored Sunflower seedling ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Yellow Sunflower seedling ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Your sunflowers are coming along nicely S-H and I really hope you get them to grow and flower for you. If they do then save the seeds so that you'll have plenty to sow again next year.
They are looking good S-H. You don't happen to have any squirrels eying a potential food source do you? Those pesky creatures seem to know where every sunflower is located. Jerry
Yes Eileen, I surely will try to save all the seeds this time! I had tried to save seeds before, about 10 years ago (as finding a good quality Sunflower is rare over here) - But I eventually lost them (due to high humidity). However this time I am going to save every single seed! Now about the squirrel issue, well, I don't have any (as I live at the coast). Somewhat inland we do have a lot of squirrels in Karachi (and they are not considered as pests) - But when it comes to my area, I've only got some Cobras, many jumping leaf nosed Vipers (which are sand colored, so can't be seen until it's too late), and a few Kraits... Oh and we've also got some extremely poisonous sea snakes too (poisonous enough to kill a camel within a minute). But they are not a problem outside the tide mark limits - As they can't move on land.
A few Kraits says S-H, don't wander about at night. A cobra bite sounds better. Sometimes you don't even know a Krait has bitten you. Death in 5-6hours if untreated. Jerry
I know, which is why I kill every snake which crosses by path, upon sight! We by the way also have a lot of Mongoose too, and they love to eat snakes all the time! Only problem is that they (the Mongoose) don't make good pets. So we can't exactly count on their support. Anyway, outsiders (from other countries) often criticize me for being too hard on snakes. But for me it is either kill or be killed... Yes I know that aside from anti-venom, a lot of other amazing medicines are today made from snake's venom - So if I am able to catch a snake, I'll give it to the University for their research. But often the situation is such that it would be extremely stupid to take a chance with these creatures... This is all because we have the largest mangrove forest of Asia on the south eastern side of Karachi (where the Indus river meets the ocean). So that's why we have lots of migratory birds too, which fly straight from Siberia in the winter. In this video (at 02:00 minutes) you can have a glimpse of our mangroves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raAMFA_I9hQ However other 2 sides of Karachi are very arid, the north is a semi-desert. And the west is a sizzling hot rocky desert. But in the south of Karachi we have the Arabian sea!
s-hsunflowers sre one of my fsvorite blooms iusually have at least one mamoth one and I let them drop some seeds.I hAD lots thst the bees pollinated they were so colorful.
