Ask Monty’s:
“I’ve planted some skyscraper sunflowers over the past couple of summers, but it never fails that a wind or storm will come up and creates havoc with them, causing them to bend or snap in half. They get about 12 feet high and are pretty neat, but are there other sunflowers that may not be as tall and a little more durable that you could suggest?”
Jackson
Chelsea, Oklahoma
Jackson:
There are quite a few varieties on the market that will serve your purpose. Furry “Teddy Bear” and dwarf “Sunspot” sunflowers come to mind immediately. They grow to only about three feet tall and are actually perfect for containers. But if you don’t want to give up THAT much height, “Velvet Queen” and “Italian White” grow about six feet tall and do well planted against a sunny spot of the house – which will help protect them too. “Autumn Beauty and “Ring of Fire” grow to about four to five feet in height. If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, there is a perennial variety called “Flore Pleno” or Capenoch Star” you may want to check out. The only downside is that they have smaller flowers than your annuals, but they’re terrific for cutting in fall arrangements.
Ask Monty’s:
“Is it hard to transplant horseradish? A friend wants to give me some since it’s sort of taking over her garden, but neither of us knows how to do it.”
RanPaul
Wheeling, West Virginia
RanPaul:
You simply dig the plants up in either the spring before they really get going or in the early fall after you’ve harvested some. Make sure you dig down at least twice as deep as your piece of horseradish root is long to provide loose soil for the long taproot that it has. Water your new plants well and regularly to make sure they get settled in properly. Overall, they are very easy to transplant and have little trouble adjusting as long as they are in a nice sunny location.
Ask Monty’s:
“I am a pipefitter/welder by trade. I am tired after working 30 years. My grandfather used to grow carnations when I was a kid and they were beautiful. I want to do the same for a hobby, but also eventually work to maybe to make it into a business. I would like to get started. Is it possible with a greenhouse type setting or even indoors? I have some knowledge of indoor growing with lights, soil and nutrients and have had some success. Can a person start a very small business and be successful at it?”
Abe
Devers, Texas
Abe:
Growing carnations to meet the American demand is big business – and done both in natural and greenhouse environments, so absolutely you can grow carnations in an indoor or greenhouse setting. When it comes to pursuing a business endeavor, large or small scale, I would recommend a greenhouse environment with natural light and grow lights for use only as needed. And, most importantly it will allow you to control the environment in which they are growing in.
Carnations need full sun to light shade and must have at least 4-5 hours of full sun each day for good flowering success. They like light, fertile, well-drained soil which is slightly alkaline (pH 6.75). Clay soil is an absolute no-no. Be mindful of not over watering carnations and good air circulation is needed around the stems at all times to avoid disease.
Yuai Nursery in Salinas, California, is the largest grower of carnations in the U.S., where South America is the leading producer in the world. There are smaller producers around the country, but they are not exclusive to carnations only for business survival purposes.
