Fascinating Facts about Sunflowers
The Sunflower plants are heliotropic;
that is, the plant directs their growth in response to sunlight. The buds and
the young flowers face toward the sun throughout the day: The Sunflower plants
start the morning facing east and end the day facing west, and then reorient to
the east at night. Once the Sunflower plants mature, however, the flowers
remain facing east.
Actually the current world record for
the tallest sunflower was set in 2014. The Sunflower plant topped out at thirty
feet, one inch tall.
Some of the Hopi people traditionally
used the seeds of a particular type of sunflower plant to create a dark purple
dye to color their baskets. This particular heirloom variety is now sold under
the name Hopi Black Dye Sunflower or Hopi Dye Sunflower.
The sunflower plant seeds are
nutrient powerhouses. The sunflower seeds actually contain unsaturated fats,
fiber, protein, vitamin E, and minerals such as iron, selenium and zinc.
The outer shell of the sunflower
plant seed is actually called the hull. The edible interior is called the
sunflower kernel or heart.
The sunflower plants are also used to
extract toxins, such as uranium and lead, from contaminated soil, in a process
called phytoremediation. After the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster the
sunflower plants were used to remove radioactive elements from nearby soils and
ponds.
Although the name sunflower can be
refer to a lot of different types of plants, which include some perennials, it
is most commonly refers to the well-known annual flower Helianthus annuus.
Sunflower varieties
There are different varieties of
sunflower. The following are some of the varieties of sunflowers.
The Mammoth Sunflower variety: The
Mammoth Sunflower varieties are named for their large size, growing up to
twelve feet tall with flowers that are ten inches wide. This particular variety
of sunflower is one of the most iconic of the bunch due to its show-stopping
size and effortless ability to grow.
The Ring of Fire Sunflower variety: This
particular variety of sunflower is aptly named for the ring of fire red around
the chocolate brown center of the flower, the variety is one of the most unique
and head-turning flowers. The Ring of Fire Sunflower can reach four to five
feet tall and, thanks to its long flower stems, is perfect for cut flowers. The
Ring of Fire Sunflower was a former All-America Selection winner for its fiery
blooms.
The Teddy Bear Sunflower variety: The
Teddy Bear Sunflower has fluffy petals and the plush golden blooms grow up to 2
feet tall and they are ideal for planting at the front of borders or in pots.
The Soraya Sunflower variety: The
Soraya Sunflower is eye-catching sunflower that is renowned for its large
golden-orange blossoms with chocolate-brown centers. This particular variety
were the very first to receive the prestigious All-America Selections award,
recognized for their exceptional performance in home gardens. The Soraya
Sunflower is a great choice for the back of borders but is also one of the best
for cutting due to its multiple branches with up to twenty-five stems per
plant.
The Tithonia Fiesta del Sol sunflower
variety: The Tithonia Fiesta del Sol is a bright orange Mexican sunflower that
loves heat and humidity. Its small two to three inch wide blooms make excellent
cut flowers.
The Starburst Greenburst sunflower
variety: The Starburst Greenburst is a handsome sunflower that grows from
twelve to twenty-four inches tall and it has pretty yellow petals with green
centers. The Starburst Greenburst is a great cutting flower.
The Procut Red sunflower variety: The
Procut Red is one of the prettiest red sunflowers you can grow. The Procut Red
blooms a bit earlier than other sunflowers, at around fifty to sixty days.
The Bambino sunflower variety: The
Bambino sunflower is about sixteen inches tall. You can actually enjoy the
Bambino sunflower even if you have a more compact garden.
The Del Sol Sunflower variety: The
Del Sol Sunflower has a classic golden petals and chocolate brown center, but
it is actually a hybrid type, so it won't shed on tabletops. Best of all? The
Del Sol sunflower is a fast grower, which means you can cut and enjoy in vases
just fifty days after planting.
The Buttercream Sunflower variety: This
particular variety of sunflowers has Buttery yellow petals with a gorgeous dark
brown center making it a lovely addition to any garden. The Buttercream
Sunflower typically grows to about four feet tall with tons of side branches
that make it a great cut flower.
The Crimson Blaze Sunflower variety: The
Crimson Blaze Sunflower is a stunning sunflower that has incredible, deeply
saturated two-tone petals with a dark center. The Crimson blaze sunflower
reaches five to six feet tall and it has plenty of branches for fresh-cut
flowers all season. The Crimson blaze sunflowers are also loved by pollinators.
How to grow Sunflowers
The Sunflower plants are an easy,
fast growing flower that can actually add much fun to your garden. Sunflower
plants can be grown for flowers or for seed.
Site preparation for planting
Establish the sunflower seed planting
dates. The planting should be after the last expected frost.
You need to select a location that is
with more than six hours of sun and a well drained soil.
Remove weeds from the ground; just
turn over the soil or you can till the soil with hand cultivator and trowel.
You need to add a handful of compost
or potting mix to the soil; mix into the soil.
Planting the sunflower seed
Plant the sunflower seed in rows;
Make a trench one inch deep.
-The sunflower varieties that are two
to five feet tall, you can plant them six inches apart.
-The sunflower varieties that are
over five feet, you can plant them twelve inches apart.
-The giant sunflower varieties, you
can plant them twenty-four inches apart.
Plant the sunflower seed and then
cover with one inch of soil.
Water the sunflower seeds.
The sunflower seeds will germinate in
about seven to ten days.
If too many sunflowers seeds are
planted, thinning the plant may be required.
Sunflower plant care
The sunflower plants can withstand
dry weather, however regular watering of the plant will create strong roots
that will prevent toppling windy conditions.
Fertilize the plant every two to
three weeks with compost or fertilizer; keep the sunflower plants healthy.
Control weed by hoeing or mulching.
Control insects and diseases on the
plant.
Growing sunflower in pots
The following are the steps on how to
grow sunflowers in pot;
Get a pot and then fill the pot with
soil.
Make a hole of about 1.5cm deep in
the pot.
Put one sunflower seed in your pot.
Cover the sunflower seed with a
sprinkling of soil.
Water very well to make the soil
really wet. Make sure you water it every day.
When the sunflower plant grows to
twenty centimeter, take the plant out of the pot and then put it into a bigger
pot.
Getting Sunflowers to bloom
Actually Sunflowers bloom with
vibrant yellow petals and a sweet, woody scent in the summer. The perennial
sunflowers bloom for eight to twelve weeks, from early summer through late
autumn. You can actually encourage bloom by giving your sunflower plant ample
full sun and watering regularly. Make sure you handle the flowers very gently
while they bloom. It may also be helpful to deadhead your sunflower plants
until the end of the season.
Harvesting sunflower seeds
Actually once the flowers have gone
by, the sunflower seed heads will begin to droop and the seeds will start to
fill out and plump up. That actually means it is time to protect each of the
seed head by covering it with row cover fabric or cheesecloth, tying it
securely in place.
It is time to harvest the sunflower
when the backs of the sunflower seed heads turn yellow and the seeds fall out
easily from the head. Cut the sunflower seed heads with about a foot of stem
attached and then hang them in a well-ventilated location to finish drying.
Make sure the sunflower seed heads is protected from rodents and insects.
To harvest the sunflower seed, just
rub two seed heads together to loosen the seeds, or you can easily use a stiff
brush to dislodge them. Allow the sunflower seeds to dry thoroughly, and then
store the sunflower seed in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pest and disease control
There are a lot of pests and diseases
that can actually affect sunflower plants. Rodents and birds are very fond of
the sunflower seeds. So if you'd like to save the sunflower seeds for planting,
you need to cover the flower heads with netting to protect them from pests. In
addition, the sunflower moth actually lays its eggs on the plant, and the
larvae also feed on the flower heads, tunneling and leaving holes in the
sunflower seeds. Pesticides can actually be use to control the moths.
Also, you might have issues with
caterpillars or beetles eating foliage. The sunflower plants can also be prone
to fungal diseases, including rust and powdery mildew. To avoid such
conditions, try and provide adequate air circulation around your sunflower
plants, and also apply a garden fungicide as soon as you spot the first signs
of infection on the sunflower plant.
Common problems with Sunflower plants
While sunflower plants are a
generally easygoing plant, the plants are still susceptible to some common
issues.
Discoloration: The sunflower plants
can actually develop brown and black sores on their stems and leaves, often in
humid months. This discoloration, called stem canker can easily kill the
sunflower plant quickly if unaddressed. You can begin by applying a heavy-duty
fungicide, however if the problem doesn't resolve, you should destroy the
sunflower plants by burning the plant or removing the plant from the root.
Leaf Spot: The Sunflower plant leaves
will sometimes display black or brown spots, called leaf spot. The affected
plant leaves will develop spots and then drop from the plant. You can treat
this disease with garlic spray or you can use diluted apple cider vinegar, but
if the treatments are not successful, you can remove the leaves or the plant
altogether.
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