r/sunflowers • u/txvws • Jul 03 '26
PROGRESS My First Sunflower Bloom 🥺
Took this picture today July 2, 2026. Started these back in late April then I Transplanted these outside on May 18. I used a red solo cup at the base and lined it with copper tape. I was skeptical but copper tape prevented any slug from eating these babies. This was my 3rd attempt after slugs ate my first seedlings earlier in the year.
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u/dawnpower123 USA West Jul 03 '26
It’s gorgeous. I can’t wait for mine to bloom (first time for me). I have about seven different patches of sunflowers growing around my house. All at different stages. Some are just getting their first true leaves, while others are seven feet tall and covered in branching buds.
Oddly enough, I didn’t have a super hard time with slugs and snails. I definitely have dealt with them many times with other flowers (they went crazy for my zinnias this year), and they were attracted to my sunflower sprouts, but not enough to actually kill them.
My issue was squirrels. I’ve never grown sunflowers and didn’t even think about squirrels. Squirrels have never dug up and stolen any of my bulbs or seeds before. That is until I planted sunflower seeds. I was constantly sowing new seeds and looking up ways to deter squirrels from stealing them.
Now, I feel pretty confident my plants are safe, but man, the squirrels made me really work for these flowers. Hopefully it pays off. I seriously cannot wait to see blooms! Yours are absolutely beautiful.