Sunflower Problems?

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

Flower buds.....

To much fertilizer?.... yes! Once a month is more like it; yet watered every other day. They're meant to recieve about 8 to10 hours of direct sun per day. Pots are too small if they aren't at least 2 gallons containers. Don't - Pinch Off! I it will get top heavy and be floppy.

~* Robin☺

Huh? Ok, thanks for the advice! I can't win for loose (is that how it goes?) I see my neighbor fertilizing once a week and his yard is so lush! One of these days I will get it right!

Thanks again,
James

James

If the roots are coming out the bottom of the pot then you need to upgrade to a bigger pot. The sunflowers are probably getting root-bound and all that extra fertilizer isn't helping any.

Darn! I wanted them in that pot! But, I thought it might come to that. I will transplant, hope they do OK!

James