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- Q.Sunflower Pest - There are tiny black bugs eating the leaves of my sunflowers. Soap and water 2-3x/day isn't working. What type of ...
- Q.Sunflower Leaf Stems Are Splitting Open - The stems of the leaves on my sunflower plant are splitting open with these small black coffee ground type things ...
- Q.Bug - The bug I found was on a sunflower. It looked like a ladybug but had a longer body, and if ...
- Q.Birds And Immature Sunflowers In My Garden - This is the first year that I have planted sunflowers in my wife's small garden. It is July and they ...
- Q.Sunflowers Not Blooming - I bought sunflower seeds from B & Q to grow with my little granddaughter. I grew them on the window ...
- Q.Annuals On A Slope - We moved into a house that has a large sloping bed in our backyard. So far they had a rose ...
- Q.Sunflowers - I have big sunflower plants but no sunflowers yet. I did not separate the plants as they grew. Do you ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
June 28, 2011Q.Sunflower Pest
There are tiny black bugs eating the leaves of my sunflowers. Soap and water 2-3x/day isn't working. What type of bug could it be and how do I repel/remove them?
Answered by
Nikki on
June 28, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/sunflower-problems.htm
You could try neem oil. It's effective on most insect pests but safe for beneficial insects. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
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- Asked by
melissa9992 on
June 28, 2011Q.Sunflower Leaf Stems Are Splitting Open
The stems of the leaves on my sunflower plant are splitting open with these small black coffee ground type things piled up coming out of it. What the heck is it, and what can I do to get rid of it?
- Answered by
Heather on
July 4, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This can happen when watering is not even. Normally you see this when you have a long period of dry heat followed by a sudden large amount water, either from manual watering or a rainfall.
The plants will be fine and should keep growing.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 4, 2011Q.Bug
The bug I found was on a sunflower. It looked like a ladybug but had a longer body, and if you watched it, you could clearly see it get rid of some type of body fluid.
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 5, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This article may help pinpoint the pest: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/sunflower-problems.htm
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Anonymous on
July 8, 2011Q.Birds and Immature Sunflowers in My Garden
This is the first year that I have planted sunflowers in my wife's small garden. It is July and they are growing strong. The Yellow Disk type have already opened up and are very nice to look at. However, they don't appear to be too mature. Yet, that does not deter the yellow finches from ripping out the black seeds and eating them. I was hoping for full blooming heads in late August, early Septemeber, but at this rate, the petals will be plucked off and the seeds will be all pulled out of the heads of the flower. Is this normal? Will they continue to pick at seemingly immature heads for the seeds so early in the growing season? Do you feel the heads are mature this early? What can I do to stop this? I am fearful that when my Mammoth heads begin to bloom, this will happen too.
- Answered by
atwhatcost on
July 8, 2011A.Our birds are much nicer and wait, however, I've read where some folks bag the heads of their sunflowers to protect them until full bloom. Stick a brown lunch bag on the head and keep it on with a lose fitting rubber band. (Don't choke the head off.) For birds, it's out of sight. out of mind. ;)
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Anonymous on
July 15, 2011Q.Sunflowers Not Blooming
I bought sunflower seeds from B & Q to grow with my little granddaughter. I grew them on the window sill until they were established and planted them on in pots. I have a south-facing garden and the stems are now about 5-6 feet high, but although there is plenty of foliage, there are no buds. Can you give me any advice?
- Answered by
doccat5 on
July 15, 2011A.You might find this site helpful to answer your questions
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/growing-sunflowers-in-your-garden.htmYou may need to be patient, most varieties of sunflowers have a fairly long growth period before maturity. It depends on what variety you planted. I have 2 Maximillians in full bloom and other varieties haven't put out bloom yet.
Hope that helps,
doccat5Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 16, 2011Q.Annuals on a Slope
We moved into a house that has a large sloping bed in our backyard. So far they had a rose bush that performed beautifully this summer and some junipers. I planted some daylillies, a hydrangea (at the top of the slope, more on level ground) a coneflower and a black-eyed-Susan. They all are doing fine. I planted a bunch of annuals and most of them have stopped blooming, a sunflower which has pooped out and petunias not blooming. I also planted balloon flowers, which do not look like they are going to bloom either. Is it the slope, too much drainage, soil erosion from the winter, etc. ? I'm puzzled. We have tons of worms, so I know the soil is good quality. Any ideas?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 16, 2011
Certified ExpertA.I'm puzzled too. It could be that much nitrogen is giving your plants all that green but no flowers, but if the plants look puny, rainwater may be leaching the nutrients away. Add some peat moss to the soil to hold moisture and try foliar feeding.
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
Susan75023 on
July 16, 2011A.You don't mention what kind of annuals but in addition to the answer provided by Nikki, If you have gotten SOME annuals need the spent blossoms removed before they do their best. This is particularly true of marigolds. Petunias should be blooming without deadheading, however, so it sounds like they indeed need some fertilizer. Use one specifically made for flowering plants.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 19, 2011Q.Sunflowers
I have big sunflower plants but no sunflowers yet. I did not separate the plants as they grew. Do you think this has something to do with it?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 19, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This article may help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sunflower/sunflower-problems.htm
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