People will probably say I'm stupid 🌻

66Mustang

I've grown some sunflowers this year, I realised how when people say its good for mental health how spot on that was, it really gave me a purpose and it was so nice to nurture them

Now they're dying off I'm actually quite upset, like almost tearful, but that's probably because of underlying distress rather than just the flowers

There's also a bit of dark thoughts about the amount of time spent nurturing them - and the very fleeting few weeks of magnificence - then the decline… like is that reflective of my life? I feel I'm still in the bloom stage after spending 30 years as a seedling but it's a fear I guess

Before someone asks, no I haven't been growing and smoking another kind of plant

idk

I don't think that sounds stupid at all, it is quite sad to see them at the end of summer, they do seem like a more expressive plant than others.

You gave a plant life, you looked after it, look back on the time you spent with pride.

I also totally understand your feeling of being in the bloom stage of life, I feel like I am starting to get there too.

WhatThe

There's also a bit of dark thoughts about the amount of time spent nurturing them - and the very fleeting few weeks of magnificence - then the decline… like is that reflective of my life?

Everyone's life, 66Mustang. Life and death. Love and loss. Equal and opposite.

I accidentally scorched a succulent this week and feel a bit stupid because it was careless. You, however, nurtured your sunflower from seed and just like when a child leaves home, you feel the loss.

The good news about your precious sunflower is that birds will enjoy the seed head 🌻 and the foliage will die down to help raise next year's plants 😊

Albus_Scope

I totally agree with you @66Mustang growing plants does give you a great sense of purpose. It's why I always throw myself into planting seeds each year. But it can get a bit bittersweet when it's harvest time. I see the plants flowering as a way of saying thanks. So save some seeds and plant their children next year. 😊

durhamjaide2001

you are definitely not stupid I hate that you feel like that about yourself.

Holly_Scope

It's definitely not stupid. Sunflowers are so beautiful and happy aren't they. It's interesting how things like this do, almost subconsciously provoke these type of thoughts. I'm sure I've had this happen plenty of times, although I can't think of anything at the moment, I know I definitely have.

Have you thought about finding another cool flower for the next season? 😊

Santosha12

@66Mustang not stupid at all. Very poignant and relatable.

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/137599/people-will-probably-say-im-stupid

Not stupid at all. Plant the seeds for next year. Next, month why not plant or pot up some miniature daffodil bulbs for the spring.

66Mustang

Thanks everyone, for so many amazing posts 😊 I won't quote them all but every one made me smile or feel warm in a different way

I'm definitely going to keep the seeds from one of them, one of the flowers has extra special meaning for me (I even gave her a name (and seemingly a gender😆)😆) and I'm going to dry out the seeds so I can have the same one next year

I didn't actually think about the fact the birds would enjoy the seeds… although last year my parents planted some sunflower seeds and we came back to a pot with 6 holes where they'd been neatly plucked out…so I'm not sure I want to indulge them 😂 (only joking btw)

I like the idea of planting something for winter, maybe some kind of veggies for Christmas 🤔

durhamjaide2001

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1058224#Comment_1058224

your so welcome I'm so glad they made you smile

WelshBlue

Not stupid … I remember when the dog first came here and destroyed established plants, either grown from seed or cuttings … bereft would be a fitting word.

Gardening can certainly bring home the meaning of the cycle of life

Nature at it's best and cruelest in one season