Can you transfer a sunflower from the ground to a pot without harming it? It's 7ft tall.
Dig around the plant and straight down, as not to disturb the larger roots. Instructions are here www.professorshouse.com/
if you're careful I say go for it, just make sure that it is a really big pot so it has room to grow and thrive and make sure it gets as much sun as it generally gets where it lives now
While I personally would not, my reason is that they are too big and heavy to deal with and I physically I am not able to dig that deep--they have huge root spans) and even if I could, I don't think I could lift a 7 foot plant (too heavy).
If you are physically able, you just need to make sure you can dig deep enough to get all the roots or you risk damaging the system and the plant dying. The roots can be three feet deep and three feet wide...more if the plant is really huge--7 feet is huge, but they can get WAY taller!
Then you would need a pot big enough to house it all in. That in it self can be a challenge and then it is triple..plant, dirt, pot.
This is one of my favorite sites about sunflowers: www.almanac.com/
Don't forget to harvest seeds, some to eat, some to plant...provided that the birds don't beat you to it :)
Wow! That is a huge honor. It is a shame the can't judge it where it blooms. It seems a bit illogical to make you move it. But I guess I over think things :(
That said, if you feel you can get to the root ball and have a big enough pot, go for it! Let me know how it goes! Hope you win!!
I have transplanted 2-3 foot sunflowers successfully but a 7 foot - wow.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I just bought a potted, pretty well established sunflower plant in a pot. I want to plant it in my yard. What steps should I follow?
Dig a large hole in a sunny area. Gently tip the plant out of the pot and plant it.
This is an easy job- no different than most transplants but just in case you like a visual here is an excellent video on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/
Just be sure to watch it and water as needed. You may need to stake it until it gets a good root hold!! Enjoy the loveliness!!
Sunflowers are very easy to transplant from pot to ground.
Find a nice area in your yard that has direct sunlight (6-8 hours). Dig a generous sized hole 2ft deep by 3ft (depending on how big your pot is). Sunflowers need soil that drains well.
I want to replant a few sunflowers. Where do I start cutting? Do I stick the flower in the ground or pot first? Do I water everyday or once a week?
Hardiness Zone: 10a
By Tinagf from Palmetto, FL
Transplanting Sunflowers
Does the bright face of a golden sunflower cheer you up? Did you plant hundreds of the sunflowers seeds, so you could be continuously cheery, but realize that now you need to thin them out? Or maybe some just popped up in the wrong location. Never fear, you can move your beloved sunflower to an appropriate place safely, and enjoy its beauty for the rest of the season.
There are over sixty varieties of sunflowers. Each one has specific needs for growth and care, but the basics are all about the same. You've planted the seeds, whether indoors or out, and now need to transplant or thin them out in the garden. The process will take a little time, but should result in undamaged sprouts or flowers in the end.
When Transplanting Seedlings
Seedlings are very delicate until several weeks when the stem grows thicker and develops in to a stalk. When you are moving them from a germination flat from indoors to outdoors, you will need some special care. Pick a location that receives full sun or only partial shade for the best results. Do not plant outdoors until all danger of frost is gone, as the cold will freeze the tender stems and they will die and not regrow.
Begin by digging small holes where you would like your seedlings to go. Make sure they are adequately spaced so the roots will have plenty of room to grow. You don't want to have to re-transplant them again in another month by spacing them to close together. Dig a hole about two or three inches in to the ground. Work the soil so it is loose and the roots can take hold and latch on, on the sides and bottom of the hole.
Position the sunflower in the center of the hole and cover with soil. Pat gently so the soil is firm and will keep sunflower in place. Water the area to give the roots extra help in growing and repairing themselves from the transplant.
If your seedlings are small and don't stand up on their own, you might want to use a stake. You can buy metal or wood ones and prop next to the seedling or tie it with some string. Popsicle sticks and wooden stakes cut down to the size of the seedling work best. The stakes will also protect against heavy rain and high wind damage.
And like all young sprouts, they will attract wildlife. Rabbits especially like to eat the tender green stems of sunflowers. Its not uncommon to have a beautiful row or two of sprouts emerge, grow to six inches tall, and then be completely mowed down overnight by a hungry rabbit or deer. A fence made of wire or mesh might keep them out, at least until the seedlings can grow tall enough where the rabbits lose interest. A fence would need to be at least eight feet tall to keep deer out, and then it isn't even a guarantee. Human or animal hair placed near the seedlings may also repel their interests.good luck.
I don't understand your question, "where do I cut?". I'm in central FL on the east coast and am currently growing sunflowers, too. I'd be happy to help you, if I can. I'm guessing yours are in the ground and you want to move them? How old are they? I planted mine from seeds in pots, then transplanted them at 4wks from pots to the ground. They are 7wks old now and getting bigger by the minute. Feel free to contact me.
Hello there. First time planting sunflowers. Mistakenly I planted all the seeds in one single large pot. I'm wondering if I can transplant some of the to other pots? They are happy and healthy on my balcony along with my herbs and plants. I also believe that the roots will be all tangled together. Just afraid of hurting them if I do need to transplant them to give more space between them. Thank you much.
I would like to relocate some older (about 1/2 grown) sunflowers. How can I do it without killing the flower? Thanks for any help or advice.
By Joe S.
I want to move my sunflower plants from one area to another. Can I do this without killing them? If so, how do you recommend I do this?
By Kathy W.
