I ordered three types of sunflower seeds last winter.
First is Valentine. This is pale yellow, 3-4" blossoms, up to 5 feet tall.
Second is Holiday. This was supposed to be more traditional in color, although the flower size is still only 3-5", 5-6' tall.
The third is Autumn Beauty. This one has the darker flower, up to 8" across, and can get over 8' tall.
I started seeds of all three indoors, earlier than I should have. I up-potted them in late April/early May, but it was so cool this spring that I didn't get them in the ground soon enough.
I have also started all three from seed in a raised bed, in late May.
The shortest variety, Valentine, transplanted just fine. I don't particularly like them, though. You can't see the flowers all that well because of how thick the stems are. Definitely for cut flowers, which I don't really do. I don't think this one has pollen either, another reason I wouldn't plant it again. (Note to self: read descriptions more carefully!)
The middle one, Holiday, does not appear to have transplanted all that well. The flower at the top is very small. It is developing branches down the stalk, but those flowers will likely be even smaller.
The tall one, Autumn Beauty, also does not appear to have transplanted well. The flower at the top is small. It is developing branches down the stalk, but those flowers will likely be even smaller.
The flowers I planted in the raised bed are much more vigorous. So obviously transplanting sunflowers is not a great idea. Which is unfortunate, because last year none of my direct seeding worked --between chipmunks and earwigs, I didn't have a single sunflower plant. I did buy some wire cloches last year, for other plants, so maybe next summer I can try to protect the seedlings that way, at least from the chipmunks.
I'll likely come back and edit this post with more information about the flowers after the direct-seeded plants bloom.
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