What is wrong with my sunflowers?

[Wishin']

I planted the seeds on a low shelf, and the next day, and the following three days ALL of them had sprouted. I noticed over the next couple of days they were growing very, very tall at an alarming rate, so I put them on a the top shelf thinking maybe they were just trying to reach the sunlight. That didn't slow down their growth rate at all. Yesterday I noticed a few of them were starting to fall over because they were to tall and to thin to support themselves, so I propped a bunch of them up. Today I go out and four of them had withered away over night. They looked shriveled, but when I touched them they felt very rubbery(?) I guess you could say, I also noticed that one of the pods had NO plants in it at all not even a shriveled one, and I know for a fact there used to be two in that spot as they were the purple sunflowers I have been waiting for so long. I also noticed one of the far soil pods had a white mold on the pod. I threw that one away, and removed all the sunflowers, and their containers, and trays from the greenhouse. The question is what is wrong with the flowers, and can I save my sunflowers. I have been so exited about these flowers and I really don't want to lose them

 

[digitS']

Could they be too warm, @Wishin' ?

I don't know your weather but my wife has cousins in Morganton. They are having 80° days and 50° nights.

Can you get everything out with some protection from the sun and wind?

Steve

 

[baymule]

So sorry about your sunflowers. Hope they make it!

 

[lesa]

Drat! Sorry to hear about your sunflower troubles... sounds like it could be dampening off. If you have any seed left, I would try planting them directly, after danger of frost. Good luck!

 

[catjac1975]

I have had good results with sunflower seedlings but I find them a pain to plant because I want to have so many. I tried direct sowing last year and something was eating the seed and leaving the shell on top of the soil. So, sprouted them in a bucket with just water and then planted them directly in the soil. It seemed to deter the animal that was eating them and I got a pretty good crop.

 

[Wishin']

@digitS' It is has been in the 70s during the day, and 40s at night so I suppose, it could be too hot in the greenhouse.

@lesa it looks like dampening off, but the stems don't look "pinched" anywhere.

Do you all think they will be O.K. if I transplant them in new pots, and bury the base of the stems an inch or two? They are already 4 to 5 inches tall.

 

[digitS']

I have never kept them past the tiny, tiny stage.

Since sunflowers can sprout and begin growing before the last frost, they aren't afforded much protection for long.

They are in "liners" not ponies and, like, 150/flat. Just enough soil to get started.

Anyway, that's how I've done it.

Steve