Sunflowers

[Ignatz]

I do a lot of hiking on Pa. State game lands. I was thinking of planting sunflowers way back in the middle of the woods where their is some clearings. My question is, will these regenerate year after year and are there reasons why I should'nt plant flowers where there not native. thanks

 

[Ignatz]

I do a lot of hiking on Pa. State game lands. I was thinking of planting sunflowers way back in the middle of the woods where their is some clearings. My question is, will these regenerate year after year and are there reasons why I should'nt plant flowers where there not native. thanks

 

[zercool]

Like many plants, sunflowers can become perennials - the seeds are spread by animals or just fall and germinate the next spring.

Planting non-natives is a Very Bad Idea: see also Kudzu.

 

[dkees]

My wife had an aunt who loved sunflowers. She planted them everywhere and then left them alone. Did they regenerate? I I hope to sh?? they did!

It was then my job to clean some of them out. The had stalks as big as a small tree and were 10-12 feet high. I had to go super slow on a 65hp tractor and 6 ft. bush hog. Those things were monsters!!!!

 

[Munsterf18]

Some states are real picky about introducing non-native plants and animals on public land.

You might want to check with them with a general question about sunflowers. Or the info may be available on the website.

Munster

 

[rundownfid]

For you to get into trouble planting non-native (don't pronounce the dash) plants a Pa. Game Warden would actually have to catch you. The chances of seeing a Game Warden in the woods is about equal to being struck by Haley's Comet.

 

[J274895]

Why in God's name would you plant non-native plants in a wilderness area??? That's practically sacreligious dude! Not cool.

 

[Ignatz]

Thats why I'm asking.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally posted by Ironbar:
Why in God's name would you plant non-native plants in a wilderness area??? That's practically sacreligious dude! Not cool.

I usually do not find myself on the same side of an argument with one who uses the sobriquet "dude" when addressing his point, but in this case I would wholeheartedly concurr with the learned member from the far west.
BTW if you're gonna plant a non native species in little clearings deep in the woods, at least plant something you can smoke

 

[kdm2]

I remember one year Missouri declared them a noxious weed after KU beat Mizzou

 

[shovelwrench]

Wild sunflowers are pretty wide spread in PA allready. I don't se a problem with planting a few more.

Is everyone sure they are'nt native to PA?

 

[shovelwrench]

A few species are native....

http://consumerhorticulture.ps...perennial_plants.pdf


GOOGLE BABY!!!!

 

[shovelwrench]

Heres DCNR's small list of native PA decorational flowers.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/fo...lant/herbaceous.aspx

 

[Gatofeo]

Call your local extension office. They'll know what's native and what's considered a pest or weed. They can guide you.
Fish & Game may help you too.
From either agency, you may get free seeds. Get a few fellow sportsmen to help you, and you'll get less suspicious looks.
And yes, you can get the local shooting, fishing, backpacking, birdwatching or camping club to help you, but I guarantee that things will get far more complicated than you can imagine.
Too many cook spoil the broth.
Keep it simple. Just you and a few friends. If you can get a go-ahead from Fish & Game or the County Extension Office, then you may be able to get free seed from a nursery, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc.
If you get free seed, write the company a thank-you note. A nice touch is a letter to the editor thanking them in the paper as well.
But that's about as much as you want to do.
Keep it simple.