Gransnet forums

Gardening

Now what do I do??

(38 Posts)
phoenix Fri 08-May-20 18:20:00

Hello all,

Well, I now have 3 pots, with 3 sunflower seedlings in each.

They are growing like mad, have an extra pair of leafs/leaves each.

So, wise people, what next?

Callistemon Sun 10-May-20 10:01:01

I also had a packet of seeds which came free with a packet of tea about 3 years ago which I have put in the ground around a border. The may or may not germinate.

phoenix Sun 10-May-20 15:56:13

Me again!

Some of them are a bit bent and floppy sad. Currently they are indoors, 3 to a 9cm pot.

Now, if I pot them on into really big pots, they are likely to be too big and heavy to bring in each night.

So, providing I put some sort of covering over them (not actually touching the plants, but suspended over the canes, iykwim) do you think they will be ok?

Will the floppy bent ones perk up?

Callistemon Sun 10-May-20 16:33:38

I'm not putting mine out yet, particularly as it is so cold now.

Can you pot them on into slightly bigger individual pots? what about a viagra tablet in each pot?
Don't water too much and make sure they have light.

Mine haven't flopped (yet), they have plenty of light in the greenhouse but what they'll be like in a few days' time I don't know.

When it warms up, harden them off by putting them outside in the day then bring in at night, don't put in too large a pot too soon.

phoenix Sun 10-May-20 16:42:51

Thank you!

Callistemon Sun 10-May-20 16:46:07

I'm not an expert though!!

But they do sound as if they need a pot each now, just a bit bigger.

Chewbacca Sun 10-May-20 16:48:54

Phoenix your seedlings could be floppy for a couple of reasons: over watered: not watered enough or they've not had sufficient good light and so have become "drawn" to search for more light. Once you've checked for these, I'd do as Callistemon suggests and just pot them on in a bit bigger pot for a couple of weeks. They're not going to come to any harm if you keep them in the existing pots and you'll know when they've outgrown it because you'll see little white thready roots poking out of the bottom of the plant pot. You've got plenty of time to get them outdoors yet. Think of it like taking the baby out of the cradle and sticking it in a cot for a while, before it moves to the big bed! grin

phoenix Sun 10-May-20 19:30:05

Thanks again!

Perhaps my babies should come out of the moses baskets and into a cot!

Chewbacca Sun 10-May-20 19:35:25

?

NfkDumpling Sun 10-May-20 22:15:30

I’ve just been given three packets of different short (ish) sunflower seeds. Is it too late to plant them? In pots or outside direct?

I’m not good with sunflowers. I’ve bought packets with smiley faces on for children to plant and non have grown. The only ones which succeed in the garden are the ones the birds plant.

Callistemon Sun 10-May-20 22:17:53

I'd plant them in small pots to begin with and keep them indoors until June, hardening them off gradually, unless you have a greenhouse.

Yes, the ones in birdseed grow happily without fuss around the garden!

phoenix Sun 17-May-20 17:00:39

Well, I've planted them out! shock

4 in a really big pot, 2 in a slightly smaller one.

Just now need to make sure they don't get eaten by slugs or snails, and nurture them with the right amount of water and food.

Feel a bit confused as it's the first time in years that I've grown anything from seed!

Callistemon Sun 17-May-20 20:21:51

???