sunflower support - help please

Flat_Eric

Hello
I have never been particularly greenfingered, growing the odd plant here or there until it has given up the ghost or I have got bored with it.

Anyway, this year I thought I would grow some sunflowers:D

Its been quite successful and although I havent had any flowers yet, some of the plants have grown quite tall.

The problem I have is that quite a few of my sunflowers have snapped in half because of the recent heavy winds and although I have quite a sheltered garden, they are still getting blown about a lot. I have supported them with sticks but a few of the plants have grown very thick stems or have grown taller than the sticks! So can anyone offer me any tips on the best way to support my sunflowers ?

I visited b&q today but nothing jumped out at me and the 8ft canes wouldnt fit in my car so I had to make do with 6ft which I still dont think are long enough :mad:. I have been tying the canes to the stems with garden string but the stems seem too strong so I am at a loss. I bought some thicker, strong string today which might help but Im still not convinced.

Thank you in advance

Davesnave

I think insulation tape, not tight, but in several layers might be a tough, yet not rough way of securing them.....but to what? The tape itself would allow you to lash 2 bamboo canes together, but they may not be man enough. The toughest thing I can think of, which can also be long, is reinforcing steel for concrete in an appropriate gauge, or maybe old copper pipe.

Windy summer weather seems to have been a regular feature in the last couple of years, perhaps due to climate change. If it carries on, gardeners will need to adapt what they grow, and I'd guess 10' sunflowers will be among the first candidates for the chop.....literally!

If you are into growing big, impressive plants, Google 'Paulownia' and 'Echium pininana' which can be a whole heap of fun if you have the facilities to overwinter them in their first season. Both easy and cheap from seed.

Ety

I've secured mine against a trelis that is attached to my garage. It's a first time for me cos usually the slugs eat them!!!

Good Luck!!

Etyx

annie123

The stems should thicken up as they grow which will help.

Do you have a pot or 2 you could put the canes in next to the sunflowers? that would give you an extra foot. you could put the pot on bricks to give even more height.

Any fence posts near them? could tie into those.
hth