[AKaeTrue]

My Daughter wants to grow Sunflowers.
We have the planting seed mixture.

I understand the instructions to a certain point - everything except this part:

It says to plant seeds 6 inches apart. Then it says to thin seedlings to stand 12 to 18 inches apart when they are 3 inches high...

Why am I planting them 6 inches apart if they need to be 12 to 18 inches apart?
How do you "thin" them?

Thanks for any info:D

Kae

[J_9]

You need to plant them 6" apart then thin (pull) the ones in between. Understand that not every single seed may grow.

I plant mine 6 - 8 inches apart and then just pull every other one, if all of the seeds do indeed take, and they come up beautifully.

[AKaeTrue]

Thanks J :D

I'm new to planting... LOL can you tell;)

I understand perfectly now... Thanks again!

Kae

BTW: I LOVE the pic of your dog! What a cute smile!!

[J_9]

Awwww, you recognized the smile too. Many think it is a scary snarl. LOL She is the sweetest dog and has NEVER even barked.

Well, I am not new to planting and would be doing some today if it were not so rainy, guess I'll have to wait until Friday.

[kellerangie]

Hi, I take horticulture in college and to help you out you may, depending on the season need to file down, or use sand paper on the seed to make it softer so the seed can absorb water and begin to germinate. Most hard seeds need this. This is called scarification. Then you may need to use stratifcation (that is when you plant little seedilings in buckets with soil, then wrap them in plastic and put them in the fridge for about 5-7wks, this makes them go dormant and makes them think it is winter, so that when they come out they are ready to grow. After the time in the fridge, take them out and plant them where ever u like and I guarantee you they will grow. Seeds will not germinate unless they have been through dormancy.