So this is what 2.4 metres looks like! The plant is a giant; will the flower follow suit?

The Mongolian giant sunflower plant is officially the tallest sunflower plant we’ve ever had growing here. At today’s measuring-in, it was 2.4 metres high! Earlier this week, I lengthened the support stick by tying on another shorter, lighter stick, but the plant is already at the top of that. Curious Mama has been anxiously reminding me to keep the plant supported because she doesn’t want anything to happen to it, especially now that it’s so tall and the sunflower is looming so close…

Something has been nibbling at the leaves – thankfully, no caterpillar horde this time. It’s probably the red grasshopper-like insect and/or nocturnal beetles.

I’m still feeding the plant with fertilizers, and one fish that died in our aquarium was buried at the base of the plant to add more nitrogen. I was converted to this practice of burying our deceased fish at plants that need help ever since that method accelerated the growth of our Bauhinia Kockiana plant when it was juvenile.

I need a taller ladder – this photo was taken from the top of a stepladder, arm outstretched, and hopes in place that I was aiming in the right direction…  I think the flower is coming soon!!!

So, we are still in anticipation of the sunflower – will it bloom for Christmas, New Year’s, or in 2013?

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