pikevi - yep, they do generally follow the direction of the sun throughout the day - especially when they just have a bloom or two on top. As these varieties branch out more and more it is more difficult for the flowers to twist and turn so it is not quite so obvious. Yes, I've been into dahlias in a big way in the past too - currently only a few stragglers. I have a good friend who gives me some of his extras any year I ask for them so that I can be lazy and not dig my tubers every year - depending on the severity of the winter they may or may not return if left in the ground.
Flowerchild - yes, the birds and squirrels have a hay day back in my yard during the fall months.
Sandra - if you were in Salem you could come over ANY day and pick all the sunflowers you wanted for FREE! I take large bouquets into my office and it doesn't even put a dent in the supply. Yep - gobs of tomatoes to eat right now! Wish you were here to help me eat those up too - I will need to take a few buckets into work this week so they don't all go to waste.
Tizzy - yes the cycle is interesting. I have two major crops of flowers that self seed themselves every year. Sunflowers in the backyard and zinnias in the front yard. Some seasons they come back as thick as grass and it would actually be easier to just till them all up and plant them new instead of trying to thin thousands of extras.
Thanks all for the comments and have a GREAT week!
Blessings,
Mike