Dublin Core
Title
Henry Martinek grows sunflowers, Rossville, Kansas
Description
Photo by Belinda Driscoll
HENRY MARTINEK, Rossville, has been growing sunflowers for about 15 years but has never had one this size! Planted the first of March from a Russian brand of sunflower seed, Martinek expected the plant to be short as this type of sunflower is grown in Russia and cultivated for the oil, he said. “Short” is not what the plant eventually became! Measuring 18” across and with a 46” circumference, the head was supported by a 14’4” stalk. The weight of the head finally caused it to bend over and Martinek chopped it off and brought it in to be photographed.
He said that while it was growing, he had to keep it covered with a
gunny sack to keep the bluejays, starlings and other bieds (sic) from
eating all the seeds!
For the next couple of weeks, Henry will let the plant hang to dry, then he plans to pluck the seeds, saving some for seed for next year and using the others for redbird feed this winter. He planted the sunflowers near the tomatoes to provide a little shade from the hot summer sun, but never expected to see such a huge plant as this.
HENRY MARTINEK, Rossville, has been growing sunflowers for about 15 years but has never had one this size! Planted the first of March from a Russian brand of sunflower seed, Martinek expected the plant to be short as this type of sunflower is grown in Russia and cultivated for the oil, he said. “Short” is not what the plant eventually became! Measuring 18” across and with a 46” circumference, the head was supported by a 14’4” stalk. The weight of the head finally caused it to bend over and Martinek chopped it off and brought it in to be photographed.
He said that while it was growing, he had to keep it covered with a
gunny sack to keep the bluejays, starlings and other bieds (sic) from
eating all the seeds!
For the next couple of weeks, Henry will let the plant hang to dry, then he plans to pluck the seeds, saving some for seed for next year and using the others for redbird feed this winter. He planted the sunflowers near the tomatoes to provide a little shade from the hot summer sun, but never expected to see such a huge plant as this.
Creator
St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas
Publisher
Rossville Community Library
Date
July 28, 1981
Rights
This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties.
Identifier
RCL0496
Item Relations
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