[Madame Cholet]

new to me all have grown even the 2 bent that over as i carried them to the lotty in my rucksack. The first is flowering lovely dark red they are a mixture called velvet queen from www.realseeds.co.uk

[arugula]

I like the mixed coloured ones too.

[Madame Cholet]

Have planted them down the fence as the neighbour likes flowers too so we both can enjoy she has sweet peas on her side.

[arugula]

That sounds lovely, worth a picture even.

[starry]

I have some so called mini sunflowers supposed to be about 18" high but most of them are over 3ft I have had to cut one down that has multiple heads on it does anyone know if the flowers will still open (I have them in a vase) 

[arugula]

I've never had sunflowers as cut flowers indoors, not keen on cut flowers tbh I think they belong outside, but other flowers will open in a vase so its worth a try.

[fatcat1955]

I have some so called mini sunflowers supposed to be about 18" high but most of them are over 3ft I have had to cut one down that has multiple heads on it does anyone know if the flowers will still open (I have them in a vase) 

If the stem's are hollow, fill them with water and plug the hole with kitchen roll. If the stem's are solid make a diagonal cut about 1 inch up from the bottom so as to expose the max amount of flesh as possible. Not sure if this work's with budded sunflower's but it is normal practice with cut flower's.

[Madame Cholet]

That sounds lovely, worth a picture even.

got the camera till Weds will go up the lotty and take some pics and even be brave and down or is it upload them?

[Madame Cholet]

pictures yes

[allotmentann]

Just commented on your beautiful sunflower on the other thread, I was not even aware until this year that they came in anything other than yellow!

[Madame Cholet]

Just commented on your beautiful sunflower on the other thread, I was not even aware until this year that they came in anything other than yellow!

me neither and they are so easy to grow never tried before trying to encourage more wildlife on site.

[allotmentann]

Yes, I intend to grow a few more flowers next year for the same reason. I have been trying to keep to the proviso that everything I grow must be edible (or at least parts of it), and I have some of those beautiful dark sunflower seeds, (bought cheap in the Wilkinsons sale). Although, I admit that over the last few weeks I have been wondering whether to allow a few flowers purely to encourage the wildlife like buddleja, (if I get a variety that doesn't get too out of hand). It would seem to me that the more wildlife you encourage, the better things like pollination are going to be and the more chance of encouraging good predators.

[sunshineband]

Sunflower seeds are certainly edible, so no worries there, Allotmentann 

[allotmentann]

Sunflower seeds are certainly edible, so no worries there, Allotmentann 

I know I am daft! I am not going to be so fussy from now on

[Madame Cholet]

Sunflower seeds are certainly edible, so no worries there, Allotmentann 

I know I am daft! I am not going to be so fussy from now on

Its your allotment grow what you want I like to see colour when I'm weeding ect.