My Sunflowers Are Quite Short..

Question

So here’s the detail -Using normal edible sunflower seeds -Have direct sunlight since seedling -Around 12″ tall -Given plenty of high nitrogen based fertilizer every 2 week -There are flower buds regardless of its small size and I think the flower will be extremely small or won’t grow at all -planted in pot with 12″ diameter pot and depth is quite large and its alone in it The leave are very small: 3 finger size but doesn’t have the length of a finger Stem are like pencil only a bit thicker…. This is my first time planting a sunflower and this sunflower making me lose hope. Do sunflower need something to grow big? Is my soil poor? Ph is neutral

Answer 1

When you said "normal edible" sunflower seeds, do you mean you planted seeds you bought for snacking? If so, there's no way to know what to expect. It's best to buy packaged seed varieties from a seed company that will grow to the height you desire with the seed head size you desire. If you did plant packaged seeds for home growing, it sounds like the pot is too small for the large varieties. They need a 3 to 5 gallon container. The roots of a sunflower grow wide and deep. They need fertile soil and full sun - 6 to 8 hours a day. Here is more info:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/growing-the-sunflowers-as-food.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/planting-sunflowers.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/caring-for-potted-sunflowers.htm