Dwarf sunflower

[jmsieglaff]

Our 4 year old daughter picked out some dwarf sunflowers that we will grow in the holes of the cinder block gardens. I'm going to have her start them in pots so we can transplant together. I know they don't tolerate frost, so we will plant out with the maters. How early would you start dwarf sunflowers before plant out date? FWIW, we started tomatoes 1 week ago today.

[Gardeneer]

Sunflower is fast growing, I think.
When are you going to transplant out in the cinder block hole ?

[oakley]

Somewhat depends on the variety. I've been growing them all winter. Started a third
tray Feb 20 and they are just 3inch tall. (should have started a mammoth seed in that tray
for comparison).
The tomatoes started the same day are about 8inches now and repotted a couple weeks
ago.
I'm using the little peat pots to restrict growth though the roots easily pierce the netting.

I'm doing testing for a charity garden event for i think 5-8 yr olds. A younger group will
be starting seeds over the next four weeks, then they will be teaching the older kids the
sowing...at a display booth showing the stages of growth. (at least that is the plan)
They get to take home or plant in the garden their sown pod.
I'm using the pods for easy transplanting as small sunflowers don't really care for it.
And tiny hands will have an easier time.
I am also starting a tray a week for insurance and extra plants for the display.
(Not my project...i just volunteered the testing and ideas)

So i think you can start now or by the weekend.
This pic is dated March 9th so that is just shy of three weeks.
-if these were in pots they would be very difficult to transplant. 5-6 weeks is easier
being stronger stems.

[NewWestGardener]

Does anyone have any recommendations on when to start dwarf sunflowers for Xmas gifts? I bought Johnnys Sunny Smile seeds. What sizes of containers to use, as they will have a lot to do with their final size?
Oakley, I read your winter experiments, any tips?

[oakley]

ASAP for the holidays. Looking back at my notes, it was 8-10
weeks to get healthy growth and the flower head formed....
10-12 weeks mine started to flower. 12-14 weeks gorgeous full
bloom.

I did grow 4 varieties that had different bloom times.

I started a 36 cell tray two weeks ago and another this past
weekend. I'll start one more in two weeks. that should cover
bloom straight through T'giving, x-mas, new year and beyond.

Best to keep them in small seed cells for as long as possible...
that keeps the roots contained and forces the dwarf/micro-like
growth.

This year, when I pot up to 4", I'm going to put three same
variety together in same pot. My 4" pots are tall, like the height
of a red cup.

Probably depends on your sun/light set-up...and feeding.

[NewWestGardener]

Thank you so much, Oakley! I'm starting them tonight when I get home.
This is very helpful as I was thinking of seeding them directly into 4" pots.You actually want to contain them in smaller space.

I will also borrow your idea of potting three up together in the same pot.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by NewWestGardener

Does anyone have any recommendations on when to start dwarf sunflowers for Xmas gifts? I bought Johnnys Sunny Smile seeds. What sizes of containers to use, as they will have a lot to do with their final size?
Oakley, I read your winter experiments, any tips?

Last year I started 60 dwarf sunflowers 7 weeks before our community garden sale, they were just starting to bloom. Mine were all branching varieties.(many flowers per) I used 72 cell starter packs with one seed per, then transplanted at 3 weeks to growers 1 gallon pots( actually about 2.5 quarts).