Sunflower Update

I started with 24 seedlings, using seeds from my 10-foot sunflower of two years ago.  Of those, one didn't escape the shell so it's tiny leaves died within and another got pulled out of the ground by something several days after it was planted.  That leaves 22, two of which broke in heat and high winds yet they still thrive.  I noted earlier that we had a hot spell, well, that hot spell has mostly continued for us the last few weeks.

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon today so I decided to take some sunflower pictures to share an update, most of which will be after the break, if interested.

Starting in the corner by the house, porch and steps there are two clusters of three sunflowers.  In the one on the left is one of the broken stems.  It fell forward, but I leaned it back, and that is where it still is leaning on the cage but growing well nonetheless. 

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On the other side of the steps is another cluster of three.  There are some that are smaller in the clusters, losing out on the sun to the leaves of the larger plants.

In the tree stump area I planted two clusters of three along the fence.  I couldn't help but to capture the whole area, thriving with all sorts of wildflowers and greenery.  The cluster on the left had one pulled out early on but the rest are looking good.

On the back corner of the garage is a cluster of two, the bigger one being the other broken stem.  We used garden tape to try and help fix it, but mostly it is just propped up and continues to grow.  Here again, I couldn't help but also show the cherry tomato plants, now just about as tall as the ladder they are getting tied to for support.

At the front corner of the garage I put two in a big pot.  They do get sun in the mornings and evenings, and seem to be doing well.  If this works well it has an added bonus of being able to move if needed.

And finally, two more planted in front next to the bird's suet feeder.  Again, they seem to be doing well so far and, as with all, a stake may be added if necessary.

If you're counting along, yes, that is only 20 sunflowers.  The last two are planted at work and being the last seedlings to come up are smaller than any you see here, but have plenty of time to grow.

If you made it this far, here's a couple bonus pictures of Saturday evening's fire.  It was a warm one.