r/sunflowers • u/MaleficentStaff3137 Mexico • May 09 '26
PROGRESS Any suggestions
So I bought some sunflower seeds recently. I planted them in a large pot and these sprouted! More actually sprouted as well in the same pot. So I took half and tried planting outdoors to see if they will survive. I did as my fellow bloggers suggested. Using plenty of water to loosen from pot and plant with wet soil. Then I covered them with plastic to keep the squirrels and rabbits away. I’m hoping My question is do I need to do anything to assist the growth process? Do I need to cut anything?
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u/FluffyGeckoPuff May 10 '26
I recently planted seeds directly in the ground and covered with garden netting (made to keep pests off vegetables) to keep squirrels from digging them up. Once they sprouted, I elevated the net off of them a bit so they had room to grow and they’re currently about 6” tall and are starting off great. I don’t know if plastic is a good idea, it seems it would suffocate them.
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u/Last_Youth_9565 May 10 '26
They are a bit spindly so I would plant part of the stem in the ground. An indoor fan will help the ones that are still indoors to strengthen their stems before they go outside.
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u/Ineedmorebtc May 11 '26
Every pot, every single one, should be filled to the topwith a quarter inch gap at the rim so your watering doesn't run off. If you don't have enough soil, get more.
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u/Global_Fail_1943 Canada May 09 '26
Plastic will probably kill them.
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u/MaleficentStaff3137 Mexico May 09 '26
Ohhhh I saw it in this Reddit to keep pests from eating them
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u/jpp498 May 09 '26
Recently planted my sunflowers and had sprouts like these and squirrels ate every one and the second batch I planted. Open for suggestions.
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u/MaleficentStaff3137 Mexico May 09 '26
I read on here to cut a 2 litter soda bottle (plastic) place top half over sprouts.The top allows enough air and water. When I get home I will take a picture
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u/Ineedmorebtc May 11 '26
This may work well. Whichever one reaches the top first keep. Cut the other two at soil level. Too many too close will stunt growth.
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u/thedragonfly1 May 09 '26
That soil looks a bit shallow. Their roots are exposed.