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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider A multi record-holder family of gardeners shares practices for growing world record breaking sunflowers

A multi record-holder family of gardeners shares practices for growing world record breaking sunflowers

Published Mar 7, 2023 10:00 am

Guinness officially recognized the world's heaviest sunflower head, weighing 6.44 kilograms, grown by a family of gardeners in Wales, United Kingdom. 

Photo from Guinness World Records

According to the Fortey family, the sunflower was planted in May 2022 and has already grown to a height of 3.35 meters in just 20 weeks. The seed used was actually a family heritage line of seeds passed on through generations in the past 100 years. 

What is the secret to growing large sunflowers? 

Aside from playing with genetics through a heritage line of seeds, the Fortey family enumerates ways to achieve a gigantic sunflower. First, before planting, they test the soil's pH level and nutrients. This allows them to understand the deficiencies that they need to address during plant growth. 

The family also uses a variety of fertilizers to boost the health and growth of the sunflowers, such as green manure, organic rooting inoculants, compost tea, plant food, and a high potassium guano blend. The family also installs large water pipes next to the stem to push the roots to widen their search for water during the early stages of growth. 

During the 20-week growing period, the family waters the sunflowers once every 12 hours through an automated dripper system that helps water and nutrients penetrate deeper into the soil. 

The record for heaviest sunflower head is actually already the eighth Guinness World Records title received by the Fortey family. Currently, they still hold another three, such as the largest sunflower leaf (68x78 centimeters), heaviest beetroot (23.99 kilograms), and the tallest potato plant (2.84 meters).

Source

Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph

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