Your comments and tips

02 Mar 17, Bella (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi Yesterday I scraped out a handful of sunflower seeds from a plant in a friends garden. I have them in a brown paper bag. Can I plant them today or do I need dry them out before I plant them. Thanks

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03 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

You would probably be better to buy a packet of seed or get a small handful from a produce store (they would likely give it to you). The seed you have may not be sufficiently dry and is likelt to rot. It is getting late to plant sunflowers unless you are in the warmer north of the country. Save your seed for next season or swap it for something else. Trust this helps.

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18 Jan 17, Wil (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

Hi I am an amateur photographer who would like to take some photos of sunflower fields. Are there at that is currently on bloom near Johannesburg? If not, would you be able to guide me on when/where best to go? Thanking you in advance for your time. Regards Wil

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26 Jan 17, Wilma (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Sjoe, with the drought the crobs have not been good. The last nice fields I saw was a few years back travelling on the N1 towards Grasmere toll plaza. Maybe ask on the facebook group Taan's Tuine, Kruie en groente They have over 30 000 members who can help.

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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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