ChezTinns Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 We have just come back from our place in the beautiful Gers, and all the fields of sunflowers are the most fantastic sight. How long do they last? When are they harvested? We are going out again Mid August, and were hoping that they would still be there. They really are magnificent!! JT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 Yes I was noticing today how beautiful they are. Sorry to be a bit negative but you may be disappointed in mid-August as the flower heads soon start to dry up and look brown. Depends on the weather - they may stay bright a bit longer. They aren't harvested until they have dried out, I think September, then the top half is cut leaving stubble for a while. Later it's all dug back in. I think you've seen them at their best. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezTinns Posted July 21, 2006 Author Share Posted July 21, 2006 Thanks Pat. Shame they won't be as fabulous in August, but so glad we have AT LAST seen them in their glory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 Ours here in Deux-Sèvres have already started forming their seed headsand are no longer following the sun as they are now too heavy. Ijust hope that they don't die again this year due to lack of water asthey have done in recent years. They are really only beautifulfor a couple of weeks and soon "go over". Hold on to the memories! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 Here in the NW Dordogne, the fields are looking beautiful too. But, they don't last that long and in 2003 during the last canicule they turned black and dry very quickly and then looked a real mess until they were harvested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 They are in full bloom up here, too. The big field over the hedge has had corn and colza in it so far these last 2 years - we've got fingers crossed it's the turn of the sunflowers next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montagrier Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 [quote user="Suandpete"]Ours here in Deux-Sèvres have already started forming their seed headsand are no longer following the sun as they are now too heavy. Ijust hope that they don't die again this year due to lack of water asthey have done in recent years. They are really only beautifulfor a couple of weeks and soon "go over". Hold on to the memories![/quote]I might be wrong but sunflowers do not follow the sun.... they just face the rising sun... well at least in dept 24 they do...monti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 It's the immature buds that follow the sun - once the flowers are openthey do just face east http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower -but ours are just facing down to the ground now (we have them all roundour veggy garden). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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