Sunflower flopping...

Does it still follow the sun? Is the stem kinked or is it still round? I thought that sunflowers tended to "nod" when they got that big but, heck, I can't grow them that big in the red clay of Indiana so I've sort of forgotten.

"Rev "Fragile Warrior"" questioned:

Nay, it's just flopping now. Real nice flower on it. It's a heavy bloom too.

The stem is round... or rather semi-oval. The bloom opened to the east and it started to lean east and it appears that the weight of the bloom and the constant bending is weakening whatever exists inside of the stem.

Yeah it's definitely got a nod, the bloom is pointing straight down now, gazing at the leaves below it. I don't know if the nod is supposed to continue getting worse. It certainly looks like it will, I mean with the constant strain of the weight of the flower and the "nod" already introduced.

It's the second sunflower that did this. So I'm guessing that it's just the natural way it goes. I thought I should ask and see if anyone might say something different.

-- Jim Carlock Please post replies to newsgroup.

"Jim Carlock" wrote:

Once the seeds set in the sunflower disc, the flower nods over to protect them from the rain, etc.

Its top heavy. Stake it up.

"Pat Kiewicz" commented:

Thanks Pat. I was starting to think it was getting too much water and was becoming water heavy. I'm posting some pics dated dated from 6/23/2005 to 7/2/2005 of the sunflower...

news://alt.binaries.pictures.gardens

-- Jim Carlock Please post replies to newsgroup.

All of the sunflowers I have ever had grew like this, They seemed to get heavy and nod when they matured. There came a point that I would snip the heads and let them dry for the birds, always a hit in the back yard.

Kate

Thanks, Kate. This one sure is taking a very deep nod.

Do they produce seed after you snip them?

-- Jim Carlock Please post replies to newsgroup.