Annuals: Sunflower Problems?, 1 by orange_knickers

orange_knickers wrote:
Two questions here. These are on my Big Smile Dwarf Sunflowers. I have two plants in one tall 8" pot. Over the past two days, the lower leaves have all shrivled up and fallen off. They are planted in Miracle Grow Potting Mix with water crystals mixed in. I have fed them once every 7 days, twice now with Miracle Grow Fertilizer (15-30-15). They recieve about 8 hours of direct sun per day. They also have rooms coming out of the bottom of the pot. The pot is setting on a tray. To much fert?

Also, I have one bud on top of each plant. Should these be pinched off to encourage side growth? I'm not sure how sunflowers grow, never tried em. Will they bloom all summer?

Thanks all,
James