The cut in the picture looks a little more like a "U", and I'd make it sharper, like a "V".
This is assuming, of course that the base of the plant is still viable.
Jerk kids.
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/nursery/nurseries/minnesota.html
I tried to copy and paste but no go. Dozens in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Go to link page down. names and addresses but no phone numbers. Use the net to search for phone numbers. I count at least 2 dozen. in either Minneapolis or St, Paul.
I think your other move is to contact the parents of these idiot boys, and to suggest to them that a personal apology by each of them ... to you and to your girl ... is in order.
And as the person above noted, if you've got seeds you can harvest them for next year...
You might be able to find area farmers with sunflower fields. Call adjacent rural county UW Extension offices and inquire - they may help. I’ve seen sunflower fields on my treks around Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota.
Desperate? Brutal? She's in for a rough life...
Rather than trying to protect her from every little thing, perhaps you can prepare her for the realities of life. Far worse things will come her way.
You can’t handle this situation yourself without asking for help? Are you a liberal?
That really blows. Try to make the best of it, teach yuor daughter the tough lessons. Also, teach her how to prepare teh heads for seed production for next year. I am assuming that they were far along enough to harvest the seeds for the next planting.
Then, buy her a slingshot and teach her how to hide behind the bushes and make that thing sting their little a$$es every time they walk by.
I really do feel for you and the little one.
That’s horrid, but an important life lesson that people are evil.
This is a lesson in life that your daughter will have to learn sooner or later. Don’t replace the flower, just tell her what happened. My parents never protected me from the bad things other kids in the neighborhood did. I know it may sound mean, but I think you are doing your daughter a bigger favor by just telling her what happened.
The cut in the picture looks a little more like a "U", and I'd make it sharper, like a "V".
This is assuming, of course that the base of the plant is still viable.
Jerk kids.
Put it in water.
Continue to care for it inside.
Shift attention elsewhere.
WRT the neighbor kids, remember to shorten your lead.
Do you have a rottweiler or maybe a pitbull.....? Or any dog that will attack on command?
Tell her that’s nature. Things grow, then they get eaten by other things (sometimes, neighborhood boys help by cutting it down so it can be eaten by bugs).
Far be it from me to assume I know how your daughter should react. But I do have a marvelous idea. This would be a great lesson in forgiveness.
First you sit down with your daughter and explain to her what happened.
Tell her the neighbor couldn't know how much the flower meant to her.
Explain to her what Jesus said about Forgiveness.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven."
Then lovingly define forgiveness for her. "Honey, forgiveness is when you give up your right to hurt someone for hurting you."
Then tell her she should confront the neighbor after a little time has past and tell him to his face that she forgives him and she wants to know if he would like to help plant another sunflower next year or the next possible time.
Now of course it will never go off without a hitch. But that doesn't mean your daughter can't learn a great lesson on how to forgive even though she might not want to forgive.
Lastly, I want to remind you that you solicited advise and that nothing I said here persumes to make any judgment on you or your family. For all I know this was the first thing you did. Nevertheless, may God Bless Your Daughter, your family and the neighbor child. I hope everything turns out great.
Whatever way you chose to deal with this situation, I would like to suggest planning a new fall garden and planning next years >NEW flower garden< and get her something a little special that will help—like a cute watering can or some lady bug garden boots.
There’s always indoor gardening too!
Best wishes and I hope this turns into a victory for all of you.
2 and 3 year olds are flexible and easily move on to the next thing!
Three distinct causes for this:
1. living in a city
2. living in Twin Cities
3. living in MN
Its child abuse to continue to raise your kids under those “Franken” conditions.
Unfortunately, mature sunflowers don’t transplant very well.
If you try, you might end up with a dead sunflower. Which is just as bad.
I hope you have a friendly neighbor with a sunflower plant. Ask the neighbor if you can “adopt” their plant...I know I’d gladly allow it if you explained this story to me.
Then you and your daughter could go visit her adopted plant on occasion.
It will probably grow new flowers depending on where it was cut
First. Take a deep breathe.
Second. Tell her that there is a wonderful lesson of rebirth aand the resilience of God’s order to be seen.
Third. Tell her that it is time to cut the flowers and put them in a vase and maybe plant some new ones.
Fourth. Tell her that the main stem has been cut so don’t be suprised when we get outside to see the favorite sunflower.
It’s not so brutal really. It is sweet that she has enjoyed this flower so much but it is important to remember how quickly life can be taken by any of a number of means and to see how surely it can be replenished.
It’s up to you to teach her the positives that go with this dissappointing end.
Is there any real reason you can’t be honest with your child?
The idea of secretly replacing flowers, toys, fish, etc always seemed a bit dishonest.
I’m sure you think I’m callous but things break and die and it doesn’t always get easier when you get older.