Sunflowers are way too thick!

[BPS23]

I planted a little over an acre of sunflowers and spread 50 pounds of seed on that plot. They are currently between knee and waist high and they look to be way too thick. Is there anything I can do at this point to thin them out so that they'll have a better chance of producing large heads on the plant with lots of seed in them, or should I just leave them as they are?

[ril7572]

I planted a little over an acre of sunflowers and spread 50 pounds of seed on that plot. They are currently between knee and waist high and they look to be way too thick. Is there anything I can do at this point to thin them out so that they'll have a better chance of producing large heads on the plant with lots of seed in them, or should I just leave them as they are?

8-10 lbs. per acre is about right. Most of us have learned the hard way that more is not better with sunflowers. At the rate you sowed, it will be difficult for the plants to make a head that will produce seeds. Pulling alot of plants by hand is about all you can do at this point.

here is my field at 10 lbs.

http://www.orba42.com/photopost/data//500/medium/7-5-4.jpg

[redlickranch]

I would leave them and see how it goes. If it gets too bad maybe mow a few strips.

[GSP]

You could try running a set of cultivators through it.

[pentail]

you might want to fert the hell out of it as well. you will get more head out of them that way, even if they are to thick

[Jughead]

my mom planted a couple dozen and they are the biggest sunflowers ive seen in a long time.

[Buford]

You think yours are too thick???
Look at these!:eek:

[dead eye]

I wouldn't worry about it if you planted them for deer. The deer usually eat mine off before the get a head on them.
dead eye

[River Rat]

When will they start heading out?