fran m's Journal

Fran, I will be potting up my sunflowers tomorrow. Something that vigorous cant survive long in those cramped quarters. They need their own pots now, I reckon.

Well the lid shouln't be on Fran:) As soon as you see seeds comming up lids can be taken of and seedlings left in a bit cooler place. Wait another bit with potting on. As there is only 2 seedlings in each they still have sufficient room space in the cell.

See - two people - two different opinions=Fran is still confused:)

Krista, I can see where you are coming from, but that is the disadvantage of those seed trays. Other seedlings that havent come up yet need the lids on for a while yet. That is why I will be potting on my sunflowers tomorrow or the next day. But I will only put them into small (9cm) pots for now.

can we say they look like they are going leggy looking for more light pot on and put some were lighter.

Confused, only a little, learnt a good lesson already. Will be more careful what I plant together in future.

Just thinking if the cell trays were cut in sections by a third, you could move trays around as needed and as other seeds are sown. Now that is a good idea even if this learner says so ;-)

Yes Fran, I was just thinking the same thing myself today.

Yes you could but they get very flimsy if you pot on you can put the plant lower in the pot this will help strengthen it.the most important thing is giving more light to the germinated plants .hope this helps.

Yea thats good advice, Knocknakillew.

Thanks Knocknakillew, off on Friday, will be doing it then.

I would pot on now.

Actually I would have sown sunflowers directly into small pots but next month is time enough.

Rachel, having seen how quickly they germinated and how fast they grow, they will be sown by me, just as you have said , next year.

Or even next MONTH???????????    lol

They are really amazing, aren't they, Fran? The fact hat so much energy is in that little seed that it can outgrow you in the space of one season! I love to grow sunflowers just to keep me in touch with the whole magic of gardening. Of course they're great flowers too.

Am thinking of growing some extra for feeding the birds later in the year.

You wont need any extra, Fran. They produce so many seeds, enough for you AND the birds. You just make sure you take your share first.

Interesting to hear all the different points of view on to pot on or not, it's a learning curve all this seed growing.