Sunflowers - do they need staking?

[roisin]

... I thought not, but it's very windy here and I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong? (They're about 18" high atm, and I've got 24 of them in a 'hedge', so I can't really be bothered staking them if it's not necessary).

What do you think?

Absolutely. Last year mine started on ordinary 3ft garden canes and ended up on 6ft bamboo rods - they still outgrow the top of the stakes!

OK Thanks.

yes - if they are the tall ones, and definitely if you are in a windy area.

Sunflowers duly staked - thank you!

As I was doing it I remembered my dad telling me 4 yrs ago not to bother staking them, as sunflowers grown in fields by farmers didn't get supported.

But I'm sure Cumbria is a lot windier than Oxfordshire, and anyway my Dad is very poorly (cancer and in hospital again ), so I don't think he'll be over this summer to object to my pampered plants.

He's right, they don't - but they are massed together and hold each other up

Just re-read your post. Sorry to hear about your dad.
Plant him a teddy bear sunflower - you can grow them in pots they are so short, but have lovely big sunny heads. You might be able to take it to him to give him a bit of sunshine.

Thanks