Your comments and tips

06 Dec 16, Narelle (Australia - temperate climate)

I've been trying to get some seeds to germinate, without success. Do you have any advice, please? Perhaps I just need to be more patient, though - had them in a heated propagator for a couple of weeks and now have them out in the sun in a warm box. The temperature I'm keeping them at would definitely be between 10 and 30 degrees C.

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07 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Sunflower seed sown directly into the ground should germinate very easily at this time of the year without any heat. Is your seed old? Try again, sowing directly into the ground in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not wet and the seedlings should emerge within 7-10 days. Trust this helps.

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01 Dec 16, (Australia - temperate climate)

I have a beautiful artichoke plant that has produced about 10 artichokes in recent weeks. Its the 1st time Ive grown an artichoke plant. its coming to the end of its production now. Does it come up again next year? Do I chop it down? Do I leave it ?. Do I remove it from the ground? Would value your advice.

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05 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Yes, if it is a Jerusalem artichoke it will come up again; indeed any small tubers left in the ground will come up! Save or leave some tubers in the ground for next season. If it is a Globe artichoke (like a big thistle plant), leave the leaves to help replenish the plant for next season. Trust this helps.

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28 Sep 16, Samantha (Australia - temperate climate)

I have sunflowers but im confuse what kind of variety it is. Its flower size like my head and the flower sorrounded by small sunflowers like a crown. Just imagine a big sunflower sorrounded by small sunflowers in the tip of petals

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02 Oct 16, Josie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have had the same when I harvested the seeds from the King sunflowers from the season before and planted them. They look mutant !

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04 Oct 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Maybe an F1 hybrid so they won't grow true in following generations?

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13 Apr 16, Susan Stewart (Australia - temperate climate)

Is the sunflower root edible? If so, is it similar to the helianthus variety known as Jerusalem Artichoke?

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09 Feb 16, linn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

hi there, i live in broome in north western australia, was wondering when is the best time to plant sunflowers

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10 Mar 15, (Australia - temperate climate)

I am trying to grow giant sunflowers from seed I purchased at a reputable seed dealer, I can get a 40% germination rate in seed pots but the seedlings are very leggy and tend to lay down at 7.5cm high. In the ground I did get three to sprout, quite upright about 10cm high but then nothing. No further growth for around around four weeks. What am I doing wrong? Good quality potting soil, slow release in soil and I also use fish emulsion about every 8 weeks. All my other plants in the garden and pots are thriving. Any ideas? Please

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