Gardening Question of the Week: Any Tips for Growing Giant Vegetables and Flowers?
Thursday January 8, 2009
We had a post on the About Gardening Forum from 'sunflower_info'. He grows giant sized annuals, like sunflowers, tropical maize, sorghum, millet, and amaranth, as well as a few beans, vegetable marrows, long gourds, and other root crops. You should check out the photos he posted to really appreciate what a giant plant is.
Have any of you taken a stab at growing giants? I've planted 'Mammoth Russian' sunflowers, but I wouldn't win any competition. According to folks far more expert than I, the most important consideration is starting with the right seed. Some varieties of plants simply grow larger than others. I’m told true competitors guard their seeds as well as their growing secrets, but here are some tips to get us started growing giant plants and getting some bragging rights of our own. And if you’ve had some success and are willing to share your secrets, please do.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2009) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
I once had an 11 foot high sunflower!i Was quite proud of it.When i told that to the gardener you mentioned in your article,he said,’not bad for the average person’.lol.I think he was being kind.Don’t forget he also has a world record!