Well, I know nothing about Sunflowers, but when roses do this we transplant them into small pots. The same pots we use for shipping. Once the root ball fills that pot it is ready for either a bigger pot or the ground. I think I would go with the pot to start.

Trish

Good idea, Trish. I'll do that. And I guess I'll keep it out of direct sun until it's had some time to adjust.

Thank you!

That sounds about right- we don't ever put the rooted cuttings in direct sun. Heck, when I get roses in the mail from other places I always give them shade to adjust to my weather. I love Sunflowers- they are so cheerful!

Trish

I don't know the 'right' answer to your question, but I always figure, in that sort of case, I have nothing to lose by trying. Since sunflowers are annuals, rather than perennials like roses, I'd probably just put it back in the ground, and see what happens. I know how you feel. Last weekend DH was cutting the grass and must have kicked up a stone, because a couple of days later (too late to do anything) I found the top half of one of my sunflowers was dangling straight down. I left the base planted, hoping maybe it will recouperate and send up another shoot, but I doubt it. Still, I figured it couldn't hurt to wait and see. I've also had moderate success transplanting plants that aren't supposed to like that kind of treatment, so you never know.

Good luck with yours.

As a general rule, plants that have tap roots do not transplant well. This is why you don't see garden centers selling potted Sunflowers for planting in gardens. But that being said, Sunflowers are very tough.

You say it has roots. Do you see a tap root formed? I would get it into the garden as soon as possible and give it lots of water in the beginning. After it appears to have rooted in the soil and looks stable, do NOT water so often, in fact not at all, depending on where you live. They need to send out the long tap root searching for water. This will keep the plant strong and stable. If you water it everyday forever it will happily sip water from the surface forever and be a very weak plant and could topple when it reaches maturity. This is all rather relative since there are many different varieties of Sunflowers. Some Sunflowers naturally grow very tall and produce small blooms. I grow a rather obscure "heirloom" Sunflower that gets 7' tall and has 3" blooms. They look gorgeous grown in clumps.

You may want to shield it for a couple days with a net bag until it gets used to the spot it is planted in. They do need lots of sun to grow but it will go through transplant shock and may not make it. Don't freak out it the Sunflower goes all wilty for a couple days. Try to pick a cloudy day when you transplant it to the great outdoors.

You have nothing to lose by trying. I wish you luck. You sound like you love Sunflowers and I hope this one makes it.

Thanks, all! I do love sunflowers!! Here's a picture from two years ago. Last year's sunflower patch was even better because I added Big Tetra zinnias and Gloriosa Daisies in front. I'm doing the same this year, and if all goes well (!) I'll take pictures.

All my sunflowers are started in little pots. I've had to do this because I learned that direct-sown sunflower seeds get dug up by the birds. Or my neighbors. I haven't figured out which. :-)

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