Comments on: Transplanting Sunflowers – Moving the Plants to a New Location

By: Meg

Meg — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 19:07:01 +0000

Kamikaze gardener here – I transplanted about 10 sunflowers in different stages this year and have done so successfully.
I actually just pulled them out of the ground after I had watered, they came out with their root ball. Once, I put 6 in the wheelbarrow after I pulled them out, grabbed my spade and dirt and mulch and rolled them to the front yard.
The first time it took about 5 days for the sunflowers to completely perk up, the second time it only took 3 because I knew what I was doing and knew what to expect.
You have to expect that they will look like they have died. The answer to that is fertilizer of some sort (I used some diluted seaweed fertilizer and sprayed it on the sunflower) and water it 2 times a day: in the morning and in the evening. Give it a nice long drink.
I pretty much did what the article said, except on the second occasion, instead of digging up the root ball, I just pulled up the flower. Then I dug a hole in my bed, put the root ball in, add soil on top of that and topped it with some heavy mulch. In my case that mulch was 6 month old straw bale that was what I would call “seasoned.” I had prepared the straw for a straw bale garden which failed and so began mulching with it. I gave them a good long drink of water after they were planted.
Strangely, the first batch that were dug up were much more droopy and for longer than the ones that I just pulled up from the ground. 2 of the pulled up from the ground were fine by the end of the day, while 3 more took a couple more days.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:16:11 +0000

I have a sunflower that is 1 1/2 feet tall, 2 feet wide and in a large pot. It is infested with ants and the leaves are turning brown so I decided to transplant it to my garden. I read it could be from over or under watering and the roots could start to mold. I started it in the pot because we have unforgiving chipmunks that will not allow a sprout to grow in the ground. The pot I have I believe is large enough to support a large sunflower but I was worried it was going downhill.. Upon trying to remove it from the pot the top probably 8 or so inches separated from the rest of the root system which went all the way down to the bottom of the pot. The roots that tore off were all very small, hairlike in size but I am concerned too many of them were separated from the stalk. There is probably a foot wide, 8 or so inch deep roots connected to the stalk. I have put in the ground and added water with fertilizer mixed in. Is there anything else I can do to preserve the flower? I’m not concerned if the growth is stunted and it doesn’t get as tall as it would normally. I just want to prevent it from dying if possible.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 02:27:56 +0000

I’ve just experienced a similar situation as Joni. I tried to transplant some your stalks (less than 1 feet) from a semi-shaded spot to full sun. I dug up the soil in the new location, but I think it has more clay than the other location, and I didn’t add any potting soil. The 3 plants are willting away! Very sad! 🙁

By: tyler kontakos

tyler kontakos — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 19:41:13 +0000

In reply to Asha. I've had sunflowers come back from completely snapped stems with a little bit of plant food and a whole lot of water. Not all the time, but that's how I've managed to save a few.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 19 May 2018 22:11:32 +0000

I think you are giving it too much water.

By: Asha

Asha — Fri, 18 May 2018 04:04:15 +0000

In reply to Joni. Did you ever figure it out? I dont want to ruin them

By: Joni

Joni — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 22:06:31 +0000

I was growing a sunflower for the first time in a hot house to get it started. Soon it reached the roof of the hot house, (6 FEET)!! so without checking this article, I decided to move him outside.
I did exactly as stated, as I like to think I have a green thumb like my Dad did. I dug a nice deep wide hole in an outside location that gets lots of both sun and shade. I carefully dug down and around the roots and carefully carried him to his new home. I placed him gently in the hole and covered him with a nice big mound of dirt. But when I stood up to admire him, he had completely wilted, just that fast 🙁
I immediately gave him a nice big drink of water and thought he’d bounce back. I gave him another drink last night, and again this morning, but as of yet he hasn’t bounced back. Any suggestions please?

By: Ed Barnhart

Ed Barnhart — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:24:06 +0000

Can I dig up sunflowers after they have gone to seed or gone dormit. If I harvest seed must I chill them for any length of time before planting? Should I add lime and or sand? Thanks Ed