Russian Mammoth Sunflowers

This is no April Fools joke! It is April 1, 2018, and I just planted one dozen Russian Mammoth Sunflower seeds. Or, should that be referred to as Mammoth Russian? I feel it is more correct to put the country name first! What do you think about that?

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflower - June 22, 2018

This pretty photo of my Russian Mammoth Sunflower is what you would normally find on the cover of a sunflower seed packet like Burpee's!

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seeds Planted April 1, 2018
Five Chianti Hybrid Sunflower Seedlings

I'm using a starter planter which is my black, long, rectangular planter. It has been fifteen days on the planting of 6 Chianti Hybrid Sunflower seeds in that planter. You can see the 5 such sunflower seedlings which have emerged. Using rubber gloves, I drilled down with my pointer finger to create 12 holes that were more than 1 inch deep and less than 2 inches deep.

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seeds

I recently purchased a packet of Russian Mammoth Sunflower seeds from an eBay seller located in Saint Peters, Missouri. The eBay listing said 20 seeds, but I think the packet had a quantity nearly double that. These sunflower seeds are reportedly organic, newly harvested, and should produce sunflowers that are 7-10 ft. tall.

Six Days Update - April 7, 2018

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling at 6 Days April 7, 2018

After planting a dozen of the Russian Mammoth Sunflower seeds, it was the 4th day and the seedlings were emerging! On the 5th day, several more.

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling at 6 Days April 7, 2018

By the 6th day, eight of the twelve seeds had sprouted little seedlings. In the rectangular planter, there are five Chianti Hybrid Sunflower seedlings with protective coverings. You can see the unprotected Russian Mammoth Sunflower seedlings that have emerged.

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling at 6 Days April 7, 2018

The Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling is in the middle. It is 6 days on that growth, compared to the 3 weeks on the growth of the Chianti Hybrid Sunflower Seedlings in the plastic bottles.

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling at 6 Days April 7, 2018

Measuring the height on the tallest Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling, it is a solid 3 inches, if not a bit more. That is impressive!

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedling at 6 Days April 7, 2018

Comparing the stems of the Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seedlings to the Chianti Hybrid, it is interesting to see the differences. The Russian Mammoth stems are all green white the Chianti Hybrid has a bit of reddish color at the base. Additionally, the Russian Mammoth stems look a bit more solid for the early growth.

GROWTH PROGRESS OF THE RUSSIAN MAMMOTH SUNFLOWERS

Russian Mammoth Sunflower at 23 Days April 24, 2018

Russian Mammoth Sunflowers at 34 Days May 5, 2018

Russian Mammoth Sunflower Split Stalks at 38 Days May 9, 2018

As I observed the growth progress of the Russian Mammoth Sunflowers through April and into May, I saw the leaves were being eaten by some bugs. It seemed the bugs favored the Russian Mammoth over the Chianti Hybrid!

Earwig Bug Trap Jar in Sunflower Garden on May 9, 2018

I installed an earwig bug trap jar for several days to see if I would snag a bug or two. I have yet to determine what type of bugs are at work. With thunderstorms forecasted for Central Florida, I removed the jar and stake.

Russian Mammoth Sunflower 35 inches tall at 41 Days on May 12, 2018

Sunflower Garden at 55 and 41 Days on May 12, 2018

The sunflower garden enclosure has stayed in place to keep the bunnies and squirrels from nibbling. I had debated removing the rug pads from the sides of the enclosure, but decided to keep it there. Thus far, the only nibbling on the plant has come from some nocturnal leaf bugs!

Sunflower Garden at 63 and 49 days on May 20, 2018

The tallest sunflower is the Chianti Hybrid at 59 inches. The Russian Mammoth are actually 14 days behind on age, but catching up nicely on the growth.

Brown Bunny checking out Sunflowers May 19, 2018

The evening of May 19th, the brown bunny was nearby for the longest time, wondering how it might get into that sunflower enclosure. I'm sure it could SMELL it!!

Sunflower Garden at 69 and 55 days on May 26, 2018

Russian Mammoth Sunflowers in Front Yard Garden June 2, 2018

To know me and my sunflowers is to know that I am always thinking about them and hoping the bunnies and squirrels don't take them out!! I planted several more in the rectangular container and then put them in the ground in the front yard ... a real leap of faith it was! Well, now, after watching them and nurturing them, you can see three of them are advancing in growth. I'm guessing the tallest one is easily 2 feet or maybe more!

Sunflower Garden at 78 and 64 days on June 4, 2018

All five of the Chianti Hybrid sunflowers are blossoming with some incredible flowers. Recently, the Russian Mammoth sunflowers kicked in and started having major growth spurts. There is one in particular that is really growing and nearly the height of the house. At 64 days, I can see buds forming on the tops of the sunflowers.

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflowers - June 17, 2018

For more information on the Russian Mammoth Sunflower, be sure to check out the Burpee website. I really needed a ladder to be able to photograph the blossoms! It was indeed a mammoth experience!

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflower - June 20, 2018

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflower - June 20, 2018

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflower - June 20, 2018

Julie Ann Brady - Russian Mammoth Sunflower - June 23, 2018

P.S. Thanks for dropping by to check out my Russian Mammoth Sunflowers. I appreciate you taking time to visit, but please do me a big favor ... DO NOT STEAL MY HARD WORK!!!

Sunflower Seedlings at Twenty-Three Days

It is measurement time for the sunflower seedlings in my flower garden! As of April 6, 2014, it has been twenty-three days since I planted the sunflower seeds. On the sixth day, March 20th, the sunflower seedlings first emerged or broke ground. Today, the 23rd day since the sunflower seed planting, I did my first measurements on the seedlings growth.

It is really curious that the most growth is being seen in the fourth row; the last row in which I planted the seeds!

Sunflower Garden Four Rows of Seedlings at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014 - 9:56am

Here is the sunflower garden on the twenty-third day. There is actually good growth throughout all four rows; however, the exceptional growth in the fourth row makes it look like those other rows are slackers!

SUNFLOWER SEEDLING MEASUREMENTS

Drumroll for the moment of truth! How big are the sunflower seedlings?

Sunflower Seedling Height of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The most height attained above ground is pretty much six inches and a hair. The sunflower seeds were planted a bit deeper this year, but the best growth is from the seedlings in the rows where the digging critter initially uprooted them.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The widest width of the prospering sunflower seedlings is six to seven inches! Yes, many of the sunflower seedlings are wider than tall. Thankfully, the stems are thickening up to support the top heavy weight of the leaves. Using the black weed barrier cloth to cover the seedlings at night hasn't affected their posture so to speak. That is, they are all standing up pretty erectly.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Seven Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The biggest sunflower seedlings are in the part of the fourth row that was the first seedlings dug up by the critters. I guess it is a mixed blessing - a positive and negative.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

As you can see, there are a lot of different sunflower seedlings clumped together. I'd rather have more than not enough!

SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS BACKUP

Since I wasn't really sure how well my harvested sunflower seeds from my first garden would grow, I did three pots of sunflower seedlings as a backup.

Sunflower Seedlings in Backup Pots at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

Each morning, I uncover the three pots and bring them out into the sun on the brick patio at the back of my house. To the right, you can see the weed barrier cloth drying. The digging critter also found the two rectangular pots and did a bit of digging. The growth is probably average to above average in those two pots.

Sunflower Seedlings in Flower Pot at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

There are two sunflower seedlings in the round flower pot. The larger one is a good seven inches wide from left to right and five-and-a-half inches wide top to bottom on the leaves. It is only about five inches tall.

I will continue to cover the sunflower seedlings at night for a little while longer. Fingers crossed that the digging critters go elsewhere! Like maybe China??

So, have I interested you at all in planting your own flower garden? May I heartily recommend to you, Burpee Sunflower Seeds! You can find a good variety at Amazon. And, be sure to check out my Sunflower Seedlings at Thirty Days!

Sunflower Seedlings Emerging in Six Days

On Thursday morning, March 20, 2014, I spied my first little sunflower seedlings emerging. Since I wasn't using a seed starting kit this year, I opted to plant my sunflower seeds directly into the soil, just a bit deeper. So, six days seems reasonable when looking for sunflower seedlings to break through the soil.

First Sunflower Seedling of 2014 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 20, 2014

You can see that humble first sunflower seedling in the photo. You get an idea of how small it was when you compare it to the teal green round fertilizer granules from the Sta-Green Potting Mix.

Over the next few days, I started to see more and more seedlings emerging. In fact, I was seeing areas with too many sunflower seedlings coming up. I knew I would have to cull them out once they got bigger.

HOLD THE PHONE!

Sunflower Seedlings Dug Up ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 22, 2014

You know that expression, "be careful what you ask for?" The morning of March 22nd, when I stepped out my patio door, I couldn't believe my eyes! In the first row of sunflower seedlings, the row nearest the house, I saw a critter had been digging like crazy. If you look closely, you can see many little sunflower seedlings lying "helter skelter" on the ground.

I put on my yellow rubber gloves and gathered up the seedlings and buried them back in the row, covering them with the dirt and potting mix.

OH NO! NOT AGAIN!!

Sunflower Seedlings Dug Up Again ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 23, 2014

The next morning of March 23rd, I was actually awake at a little past 3:00 am. I took my flashlight and checked the rows of the sunflower garden. So far, so good as no more digging. A little later, around 3:40 am, Boots the cat got up and headed for the patio. I followed her with my flashlight. Yep! The critter had returned. This time, it dug up about the same amount of area, but it was the second row!

Once again, I put on my rubber gloves and gently reburied all those little seedlings. And, I thought to myself, "boy oh boy, I sure can't handle this every morning!" I'm not sure what critter is doing all this digging, but I am guessing it is either a raccoon or opossum as I've seen both at my back door over the years.

Well, there were no diggings on March 24th or March 25th. However, on the morning of March 26th, I saw a small area of the second row had been hit again. Check out a few more pictures of more diggings.

Sunflower Seedlings in the Four Rows ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

There's a view of the four rows of sunflower seedlings on the morning of the 12th day. The row on the far right was the last row in which I planted the sunflower seeds. It seems to have the most seedlings emerging. Since the seedlings started to emerge, I've been keeping the garden rows moist, which means one watering can per row three times per day.

SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS IN A CLUMP!

Sunflower Seedlings in a Clump #1 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

Sunflower Seedlings in a Clump #2 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

See those two last pictures of the sunflower seedlings in a "clump?" That means there are way too many seedlings coming up in the same area. If the critter continues to dig in my sunflower garden, I may not need to worry about separating those seedlings once they get bigger.

I have to tell you that I have too many little seedlings in one area because I deliberately planted more seeds in the rows. You see, in The Sunflower Project, I had distributed hundreds of my harvested sunflower seeds to participants. However, I only heard back from ONE participant, Lynda, that she was able to grow sunflowers from my seeds.

This year, I gave a few packets of sunflower seeds to Nelson at Baileys Powerhouse Gym. Chatting with him this morning, he also said that he is going to have to cull out the seedlings once they get bigger because he was seeing about 2 dozen in a small area.

It sure is heartwarming and very satisfying to plant sunflower seeds in the garden and watch them emerge as little sunflower seedlings. Have you tried a sunflower garden for yourself? I'd love to hear about it! P.S. Did you see my previous blog post about Planting My Second Sunflower Garden?

Planting My Second Sunflower Garden

When it comes to planting sunflowers from seeds, I feel rather like a professional. This is my second sunflower garden from seed. For my first sunflower garden, in February 2013, I picked out the area that I wanted for my garden and started digging. Then in early March, I started with a few packets of Burpee Sunflower Seeds in a Burpee Starting Kit.

This year, for my second sunflower garden, I was doing things just a little bit differently. I opted to wait a little while longer to start! I waited until March 14, 2014 to get started. You see, this year we had some up and down weather and I didn't want my seedlings to face a hard freeze.

 Tilling the Garden Plot for Sunflowers by JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 14, 2014

The garden plot already had plenty of mulch, but had a few weeds and some errant grass that shot its roots into the soil. I had to first rake away all the mulch and then used my shovel to dig down and pull up all the grass roots.

Next, I opted to try four rows of sunflowers this year as opposed to the three rows of 2013.

Digging 4 Rows for Sunflower Seeds by JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 14, 2014

I probably would have used a hoe if I had one. Instead, I took my shovel and dragged it down the soil to create a row. A couple of passes got the depth a bit deeper.

In last year's sunflower garden, I used Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. This year, I opted to spend a little less and use Sta-Green Potting Mix. It was approximately three dollars less per bag for the Sta-Green product.

Getting my four rows ready for the sunflower seeds, I added a generous application of Sta-Green Potting Mix in each of the rows.

Adding Sta-Green Potting Mix to the 4 Rows by JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 14, 2014

If I had a second bag of potting mix, I would have added more to each of those rows. Next, came the fun part! It was time to add the sunflower seeds. For 2014, I didn't need to buy Burpee Sunflower Seeds as I had harvested my own seeds from my 2013 garden! There were quite the proliferance of sunflower seeds, even after I started The Sunflower Project. I had more than enough sunflower seeds for this garden.

Sunflower Seeds Planted in Garden by JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 14, 2014

Take a good look at that photo of the "blank canvas" so to speak! If you followed my sunflower garden in 2013, you got to see quite a different view of that garden plot as the sunflower plants began to grow. Check out the Sunflower Seedlings Emerging in Six Days! Follow me on my 2014 sunflower journey. Get on the blossom watch.

The Last Sunflower of Summer

It was precisely six months ago today that I started my sunflower garden from seed - on March 2, 2013. Here we are, September 2, 2013 and I am celebrating the last sunflower of Summer! I can't tell you what a pleasant surprise it was to look out my Florida room window to see something emerging in the sunflower garden. At first, I was sure it was a weed!

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed August 20, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Upon a closer inspection, it was obviously a sunflower plant. I've been battling a host of weeds throughout my yard and gardens this year because of all the rain. And, because there have been several gatherings of morning doves in my back yard over these Summer months.

The Last Sunflower of Summer with Sunflower Garden Stake
Photographed August 20, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

After I leveled my previous sunflower garden, I didn't plant any more of the sunflower seeds. What's curious, where this sunflower is emerging, were the yellow sunflower plants which were the shortest of the entire garden. It's cool to see that one last sunflower seed is emerging as a plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 2, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Check out that sunflower plant - it is over 2 feet tall by Labor Day. It sure would be cool if this last sunflower actually blooms. You can see that the bugs have found this last plant as there are some holes on the leaves.

The Last Sunflower of Summer in the leveled Sunflower Garden
Photographed September 2, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Compare this last picture with the other pictures of my Sunflower Plants Prospering in the Ground. To the left of the yard, you can see the Mexican Petunias in bloom before the purple showers. The sky is quite inspiring with the various shades of white and blue.

Perhaps the most joyous experience I had this past year has been my sunflower garden. I literally took over a thousand photographs and blogged about the sunflower journey in a number of posts. Come along and experience this inspirational journey with me. From start to finish:

• Planting a Flower Garden From Scratch
• Starting Sunflower Seeds for a Flower Garden
• Nurturing Sunflower Seedlings for a Flower Garden
• Planting Sunflower Seedlings in the Ground
• Sunflower Plants Prospering in the Ground
• My Sunflower Blossoms are Blooming
• Celebrate the Sunflower Buds and Backs
• Colorful Autumn Beauty Sunflower Pictures
• Insects and Critters in my Sunflower Garden
• Drying Sunflower Heads for Seeds
• Harvesting Sunflower Seeds from the Heads
• My 7 Foot Sunflower Garden
• The Sunflower Project : Free Seeds and Paying it Forward
• Hummingbird in My Sunflower Garden
• Autumn Beauty Sunflower Pictures
• Pretty Yellow Sunflower Blossoms
• Dance of the Dragonfly
• Sunflowers in a Vase
• Final Sunflowers of Summer

The Sunflower Project

The Sunflower Project by JaguarJulie Ann Brady
Plant these seeds and then pay it forward!

Just today, I heard from one of the participants in The Sunflower Project. Lynda Makara received a free packet of sunflower seeds at the start of this project. To document her sunflower garden, she wrote a Zujava leaf, The Sunflower Project: Sunflower Seed Giveaway. I have given out literally thousands of free sunflower seeds to dozens of participants across the United States. It was great to hear that Lynda had such success with her sunflower garden.

I will be continuing The Sunflower Project into 2014. If you are interested in participating, just let me know! You can add a comment on The Sunflower Project.

For me, all those six months ago, it all started with a few packets of Burpee Sunflower Seeds and Jiffy 5032 Professional Greenhouse 25-Plant Starter Kit! Now I feel like a professional. And, more joyous and inspired. You too can be original and authentic by growing your own sunflowers from seeds. It will surely inspire you.

Tracking The Last Sunflower of Summer

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 6, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Only 4 days later from the picture in my original blog post -- the sunflower plant is looking quite healthy in its growth pattern. Already the leaf bugs have been busy; although, I have yet to photograph another insect on this plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 10, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

And, here it is another 4 days later and the sunflower plant is growing heartily. It's been rather warm and humid here in Jacksonville, Florida. The rain hasn't been as plentiful as earlier in the sunflower growing season.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 15, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

We could see the healthy sunflower bud on September 15th. This sunflower plant is really growing!! I wasn't sure if the blossom was going to be a traditional yellow sunflower or the richer colored Autumn Beauty. This particular sunflower plant has got a lot of buds up and down the stem!

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Close-up on the Sunflower Bud
Photographed September 16, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Drumroll for the first sunflower blossom on the last sunflower of summer! The sunflower blossom first opened on September 17, 2013.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty
Photographed September 17, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Measuring the last Autumn Beauty sunflower of summer, it reached a height of some 52 inches on September 17th! So, at 4 feet 4 inches, it blossomed! I seriously can't wait to see the other buds on the stem blossom.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty
Photographed September 17, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

What a remarkable experience! As I said previously, this sunflower journey all started with a few packets of Burpee Sunflower Seeds and Jiffy 5032 Professional Greenhouse 25-Plant Starter Kit! If you haven't tried your own sunflower garden, may I recommend that you try it some day?

Close-Up on the Sunflower Blossoms

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 18, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

It is so remarkable how vivid the colors are on the Autumn Beauty sunflower blossom. I think of this blossom like a sunburst of color with very Fall or Autumn colors; hence, the name Autumn Beauty!

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The morning of September 19th, when I photographed the final sunflower plant, I was amazed at the number of buds all up and down the stem. In the photo above, you get a glimpse at the buds near the top of the plant. There is one bud directly behind the large sunflower blossom on top. Would you believe? I counted at least twenty [20] different sunflower buds on this one plant! The buds are in a variety of sizes with the larger buds near the top of the plant. Mother Nature has done a marvelous job with this sunflower plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 6pm by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

I just couldn't resist to take another picture of the pretty sunflower blossom at 6pm EST September 19th. We had a bit of rain earlier in the day; however, you can see the pretty blue sky dotted with some white clouds.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 20, 2013 8am by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The morning of September 20th, I was thrilled to see 4 Autumn Beauty Sunflower blossoms. One of the blossoms is attached to the back of the large blossom. I did another count of the buds and counted twenty-one [21].

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

I had the opportunity to experience more sunflowers in a vase thanks to a little extra rain that caused the top sunflower blossoms to bow. Not wanting the sunflower plant to fall over from the weight of the flowers, I cut the top off. What a great photo opportunity.

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

Ah, just like a well-known work of art - and maybe better! It's pretty tough to find such a pretty artsy vase as mine. However! I was searching around Amazon and found a really pretty sunflower vase. It's Deruta Italian Ceramic Vase of Sunflowers! With that vase, you can experience sunflowers year-around!

PS Do not steal my copyrighted images please! Take your own photographs for a change. I put a lot of hard work into growing sunflowers and photographing them. Not cool to steal other people's work; you know??