Common problems

Slugs adore seedlings — sow generously and protect with copper rings or wool pellets. A glass cloche over each emerging seed buys you a week of safety.

Squirrels and birds steal seeds before they germinate. A row cover (fleece on hoops) until they're 15 cm tall solves it. Once leaves are out, predation drops away.

Sclerotinia (white mould at base) ruins individual plants in wet years — bin the plant, don't replant sunflowers there for 2 years.

Rust (orange spots on leaves) appears in dry late summers — strip worst leaves, don't water from above, accept a slightly tatty plant; the flowers still come.