Bright yellow sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are the poster flower of summer. They typically begin blooming within the mid-summer and may persist into early fall. The flowers, which stretch around 3 to six inches across on average, have a good central disk surrounded by short petals. the most species plant features orange-yellow petals with a brown or purple disk, but growers now have produced flowers in several other colors. Sunflowers grow on a hairy, sturdy, upright stem that will be several feet high. The stems can hold one flower or be branched with multiple flowers. Rough, hairy, oval to triangular leaves grow along the stem. within the fall, the disks subside to sunflower seeds, which are a serious draw for birds and other wildlife.

Sunflowers get their common name because the flower heads turn toward the trail of the sun every day . These flowers are annuals, meaning they complete their growth cycle in one year. Thus, they’re fast-growing plants and typically will reach their flowering maturity around 80 to 120 days after the seeds germinate. they ought to be planted within the spring after the garden soil has warmed to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sunflower Care

The sole mandatory requirements for growing sunflowers are a sunny location and well-drained soil. If possible, select a location that’s sheltered from strong winds which may topple these towering plants. It is often helpful to plant sunflowers in groups, in order that they can support one another against wind and rain. Growers often need to stake their sunflowers, especially the tall varieties, to stay them growing upright. The plants can get very top-heavy when in bloom. Planting sunflowers along a fence is that the easiest method to stake them. Bamboo stakes also are strong enough to stay them upright. Use care when inserting the stakes, so you don’t damage the plant’s roots.

Sunflowers don’t wish to compete with weeds, so keep the garden clean. Mulching around your sunflowers will help with both maintaining soil moisture and weed suppression. Furthermore, wildlife is usually interested in sunflower seedlings. So it’s best to guard seedlings with row covers or screening, removing the duvet once the plants are 1 to 2 feet tall.

Light

For the simplest flowering and sturdiest stems, plant your sunflowers fully sun, meaning a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Because they’re heliotropic (their flower heads follow the sun), ample sun exposure will help them remain straight instead of bending toward the direction where the sunshine is predominant.

Soil

Sunflowers will grow in almost any soil. they will tolerate poor, dry soils. However, they’re going to do best in well-drained soil that contains an honest amount of organic matter.

Water

Although tolerant of dry conditions, watering sunflowers regularly will help them set flowers. They often stop blooming during times of drought. Allow the highest 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. If your sunflowers are drooping and therefore the soil is dry, that’s often a symbol they have more water.

Temperature and Humidity

Optimal temperatures for growing sunflowers are between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. But they’re tolerant to high heat as long as their moisture needs are met. and that they can handle somewhat chilly but sunny environments. Plus, they’re tolerant to high humidity, but they need to have well-draining soil and good air circulation to stop plant disease and another disease.

Fertilizer

Sunflowers appreciate a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to remind them that they’re alleged to set flowers on those tall stalks. If you’ve got upscale, loamy soil, you would possibly not got to supplement with fertilizer. But if you’ve got poor soil, apply a slow-release fertilizer starting within the spring, following label instructions. take care to not overfeed your plants, which may cause the stalks to become spindly.

Propagating Sunflowers

Sunflowers are often propagated by taking cuttings and rooting them, but the better method is just to gather a number of the seeds and save them for planting the subsequent spring. The flowers should begin to mature within the early fall. When this happens, the heads will turn downward, and therefore the florets within the center disk will shrivel. the sole sure thanks to telling whether the seeds are able to harvest is to tug a couple of out and open them. If the seed kernels inside the shell are plump, they’re ready for harvesting.

To harvest, cut the entire inflorescence with about 1 foot of stem attached, and hang it during a warm, dry, ventilated spot faraway from insects and rodents. Cover the seed heads with cheesecloth or a sack to catch loose seeds; poke small holes within the protect ventilation. When the seeds are completely dry, they will be easily rubbed off the inflorescence and picked up . Select a number of the most important , plumpest seeds which will have the simplest chance at germinating, and store them during a dry, cool location until spring planting time.

If edible seed heads are left on the stalks to supply winter food for birds, you’ll expect them to readily self-seed and send up many volunteer seedings subsequent spring. These seedlings are often thinned out as required to determine a replacement patch of sunflowers.

How to Grow Sunflowers From Seed

Sunflowers are usually grown from seed. Seeds are often sown directly into the garden once the threat of frost has passed within the spring, or they will be started indoors three to four weeks before transplanting into the garden. Peat or paper pots that ultimately are often planted directly into the bottom are recommended for seedlings started indoors, as sunflowers don’t wish to have their roots disturbed.

Plant seeds within the garden 1 to 2 inches deep during a shallow trench spaced about 6 inches apart. Keep them lightly moist (but not soggy) until they sprout, which takes around seven to 10 days. Taller varieties should be thinned to about 1 to 1.5 feet apart. Dwarf varieties are often grown a few foot apart.

Common Pests/Diseases

Several pests and disease issues can affect sunflowers. Birds and rodents are very keen on the seeds. So if you’d wish to save seeds for planting, cover the flower heads with netting to guard them against pests. Moreover, the sunflower moth lays its eggs on the plant, and therefore the larvae prey on the flower heads, tunneling and leaving holes within the seeds. Pesticides can help to regulate the moths. Similarly, you would possibly have issues with beetles or caterpillars eating foliage. Sunflowers can also be susceptible to fungal diseases, including mildew and rust. To avoid such diseases, provide adequate air circulation around your plants, and apply a garden fungicide as soon as you notice the primary signs of infection.

Sunflower Varieties

Wonderful new sunflower varieties begin per annum. Here are a couple of standouts:

• ‘Russian Giant’ has a single yellow flower which will be the maximum amount as 20 inches across. Growing 10 to 12 feet tall, this is often an excellent variety for seed production.
• ‘Teddy Bear’ may be a great dwarf variety with a fluffy inflorescence, growing 1 to 2 feet tall. It works well in containers.
• ‘Giant Sungold’ maybe a taller version of ‘Teddy Bear’ that grows up to five feet tall.
• ‘Autumn Mix’ sunflowers are tall growers (6 feet or more) that offer you a rainbow of fall colors on large flower heads.
• ‘Italian White’ sunflowers are 4-foot-tall plants with creamy white flowers that produce great seeds for the bird feeder.
• Planting Sunflowers
• Here’s the way to choose the proper spot and therefore the right place for your plants.

When to Plant Sunflowers

Sunflowers are sun worshipers that grow best in spots that get six to eight hours of direct sun per day.
They have long tap roots that require to travel several feet into the bottom, so sunflower plants prefer loose, well-drained, somewhat alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders, so they’ll be healthiest and generate the foremost blooms in nutrient-rich soil that has had compost or other organic matter mixed into it.
Growing sunflowers in pots is feasible if you select a smaller variety, like “Short Stuff” or “Teddy Bear.” make certain the pot is deep enough to accommodate their taproot.
If you’re growing one among the enormous varieties that top 10 feet tall, plant them during a sheltered location or along a fence so they’re shielded from the wind. Otherwise, a gust of wind could tip them over.

How to Plant Sunflower Seeds

You can get starter plants at a nursery or home improvement store, but growing sunflower plants is easiest if you grow them from seed sown directly into the bottom . More sorts of sunflowers are available to you if you grow from seed. Growing sunflowers from seed is super easy, too.

• Plant seeds after the danger of spring frost have passed and therefore the soil temperature is a minimum of 60 degrees. this may be between March and should, counting on where you reside.
• Plant the seeds no quite an in. deep and about 6 inches apart. Thin the seedlings once they hit 6 inches tall, leaving the strongest plants about 12 inches apart.
• For continuous blooms, stagger your planting, sowing a replacement row of seeds every two to 3 weeks, beginning within the spring. Succession planting, as this is often called, will keep you furnished with continuous blooms until the first frost.
• How long does it deem sunflowers to grow? From the time you set the seed within the soil to bloom ranges between 80 and 120 days, counting on the variability.
• Caring for Sunflowers
• When the plant is little, water the world round the roots, about 4 inches from the plants.
• Once the plant is established, water deeply but infrequently to encourage the plant to grow deep roots. Water once every week with several gallons of water per plant, more often if the weather is extremely dry or extremely popular.
• Tall varieties may have support in order that they don’t topple under a load of their blooms. Bamboo or other sorts of wood stakes work well.

Pests and Diseases

Fungal diseases like false mildew , rust and mildew can infect the plants. Spray infected leaves with a general garden fungicide.

Cutting Sunflowers for Bouquets

Cut flowers early within the morning, before the heat has stressed the plants. Harvesting blooms within the middle of a hot day can cause the flowers to wilt prematurely.
For sunflower varieties that branch into multiple stems, cutting the most stem of the plant before its bud has opened will encourage the plant to form more blooms on the edges of the stem. More flowers are sweet.
Handle cut flowers gently so their petals don’t fall off. Cut sunflowers will last a few weeks in water at temperature.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds: Nutrition and Health Benefits
Grow your own sunflower seeds to possess a ready supply of a crunchy, nutrient-dense snack.

The brown middle of the sunflower will mature into a seed head after the petals fall off. you’ll harvest them and eat them (seeds make a nutrient-rich snack), or save the seeds to replant next year’s garden. If you’re growing sunflowers to save lots of and eat the seed, do the following: