Sunflowers herald summer with haunting symbolic power. Their kernels serve as nutritious food for humans and animals. In order to coax its majestic bloom, you need plenty of water and fertilizer, but only marginal previous gardening knowledge. This is how cultivation works in an exemplary manner.
When and how do sunflowers bloom best?
Sunflowers are popular annual or perennial plants that bloom from July to September or even October. The majestic flowers thrive in sunny, warm and wind-protected locations. For optimal care, they need plenty of water, nutrients and weekly fertilizer applications such as compost and horn shavings.
Planting sunflowers correctly
To plant sunflowers in the garden, wait for the departure of the Ice Saints in May. Follow these steps:
- Dig planting pits with twice the volume of the root ball
- Enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings
- Plant the potted young plants at a distance of 50 cm and water them
With a garden fleece you can initially protect the bed from delayed ground frosts and approaching snails.read more
Care tips
The pivotal point of skilful sunflower care is a generous supply of water and nutrients. Water the plant generously right from the start, directly to the root area. Fertilization is carried out weekly with compost (€459.00 on Amazon), horn shavings and nettle manure. In particular, a sunflower cannot lack nitrogen.
Which location is suitable?
The ideal location for the sunflower is sunny, warm and protected from the wind. A fresh, moist soil, rich in nutrients and without the risk of waterlogging gives this ornamental flower optimal beauty and vitality.read more
What is the best time to plant?
You can plant a sunflower you have grown yourself or a finished sunflower from the garden center in the bed or pot from mid-May. From this point on, the risk of delayed ground frost is minimal.read more
When is flowering time?
Sunflowers bloom from July to September. Newer varieties can even bloom well into October.read more
Cut sunflower correctly
Annual sunflowers generally do not require pruning. If they are used as vase decorations, cut the flowers in the early hours of the morning and briefly dip the cut into boiling hot water. On perennial species and varieties, however, pruning contributes to improved growth and a neat appearance. How to cut sunflower perennials correctly:
- To limit the growth height, shorten the sunflower in spring
- Do not prune after the flower appears
- Cut off excess buds and stunted shoots in good time
After pruning, the sunflower perennial is watered immediately so that it recovers quickly.read more
Watering sunflower
The water requirement of a sunflower is proportional to the high degree of evaporation through the leaves. How to water the flower correctly:
- If the surface of the earth dries, it is watered
- Water in the morning and evening when it is dry in summer
- Protect sunflower in the planter from waterlogging
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Fertilize sunflower properly
The nutrient requirements of a sunflower are at the highest level. Fertilize the gem weekly with compost and horn shavings or an alternative organic fertilizer. Since sunflowers act as nitrogen consumers, the organic solid fertilizer is supplemented with nettle manure.read more
Sunflower in a pot
For the sunflower to perform at its best in the pot, the quality of the substrate is of utmost importance. Don't rely on commercially available potting soil, but offer the plant this combination:
- A mix of 1 part compost and garden soil, enriched with horn shavings, rock dust and a handful of sand
- Alternatively, a high-quality compost-based pot plant soil with a portion of lava granules or expanded clay
Since the sunflower develops a considerable biomass and enormous root system, the pot should be both voluminous and stable.read more
Is sunflower poisonous?
The sunflower provides valuable seeds rich in he althy ingredients. Only the plant sap and pollen can pose a he alth problem for allergy sufferers. If in doubt, wearing gloves and respiratory protection during planting and care work prevents possible skin irritation and breathing difficulties.read more
Is sunflower poisonous to cats?
The sunflower is in no way poisonous to cats. On the contrary, the majestic plant is one of the few plants that are recommended for cat-safe gardens and balconies.
Where does the sunflower come from?
The sunflower comes from the warm regions of South America. As archaeological finds show, the Aztecs and Incas already worshiped the sunflower as a symbol of their deities.read more
The Sunflower: A Profile
The profile of a sunflower tells us a we alth of important details for the best possible cultivation. Pay special attention to these attributes:
- Plant family Asteraceae
- Annual or perennial herbaceous plant
- Growth heights from 40 cm to 5 meters
- Yellow, orange or red-brown false flowers with many thousands of tubular flowers
- Tubular flowers form oil-containing seeds after fertilization
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The structure of the sunflower
The structure of a sunflower is structured like this:
- Deep root strands
- Rough-haired flower stalk, predominantly unbranched
- Alternate, heart-shaped leaves
- Disc-shaped flower head with yellow ray and brown tubular flowers
After fertilization by insects, the tubular flowers turn into sunflower seeds.read more
How fast does the sunflower grow?
The growth of a sunflower takes place in these stages:
- Sowing in the bed from April
- Germination after 8-14 days
- Growth of leaves and stems in May
- Bud formation from June
- Beginning of flowering in July
- Average duration of the growth phase: 150 days
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How big does a sunflower get?
The wide range of species and varieties has the right sunflower for almost every size requirement. Small flowers are already available from a height of 40 cm, while the giants easily reach 500 cm and higher towards the sky.read more
Growing sunflowers
Amateur gardeners who like to experiment simply grow their individual sunflowers themselves. For this purpose, they harvest the seeds of the dried flowers and store them in a dark, dry container throughout the winter. In March of the next year, sow the seeds in pots on the warm windowsill. Planted out in a sunny, nutrient-rich bed from mid-May onwards, you will be surprised by the flowering results from July onwards.read more
How to care for sunflowers as a houseplant
In order to care for a sunflower in the room according to all the rules of gardening, these measures are important:
- Place in a sunny, warm window seat
- Provide shade behind glass in the midday sun
- Determine the water requirement daily using a thumb test
- Provide liquid fertilizer once a week
If necessary, place a support rod in the ground next to the flower stems to prevent a tall growing sunflower from tipping over.read more
Drawing a sunflower on the balcony
Small sunflowers transform the balcony into a summer sea of flowers. Choosing a large pot with a volume of more than 20 liters plays an important role in ensuring uninterrupted flower joy. There should not be more than 3 specimens per planter. In addition, the only option is a nutrient-rich, well-drained substrate. Check the watering needs daily and administer a weekly dose of liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.read more
Caring for sunflowers in pots
In order to skillfully care for a sunflower in a pot, the root ball must not dry out at any time. In addition, the high need for nutrients is covered by weekly administration of liquid fertilizer. Alternatively, apply long-term fertilizer in stick or cone form.
Is the sunflower hardy?
The classic sunflower is an annual, non-hardy plant, as its botanical name Helianthus annus conveys. The genus also includes various biennial species and varieties that can tolerate frost down to -20 degrees Celsius and thrive like a perennial.read more
Sowing sunflowers
Sunflowers can be sown behind glass from March, and directly into the protected bed from April. Sow the seeds 2-3 cm deep in a mix of sand and potting soil. At constant temperatures of 14-18 degrees, germination takes 8-14 days in a sunny location. During this time the seeds must not dry out.read more
Prefer sunflowers
From March you can grow sunflowers on the sunny windowsill, with constant temperatures of 14-18 degrees Celsius.read more
germinating sunflowers
To get sunflower seeds germinating, fill a 15 cm pot with loose, slightly sandy garden or potting soil. Insert 2-3 seeds 2 centimeters deep into the soil and spray them with water. In a sunny to partially shaded, warm window seat you can look forward to the first seedlings within 8-14 days.read more
The sunflower root
A sunflower root reaches more than a meter deep into the earth. No tubers are formed. The plant therefore leaves behind a first-class, loosened soil for subsequent crops.read more
The leaves of the sunflower
If the sunflower lets its leaves droop sadly, it signals discomfort. These causes can be hidden behind it:
- drought
- Nutrient Deficiency
- Root damage due to repotting
- Waterlogging in the bucket
- Too dark location
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The sunflower blossom
When you look at a sunflower blossom, you are actually looking at a false blossom, consisting of up to 15,000 individual blossoms. The yellow ray flowers surround the true tubular flowers and have the sole purpose of attracting insects for pollination.read more
Harvesting sunflower seeds
Harvesting the rich seeds of sunflowers is not difficult. Be patient until the flower head is completely dry and leans towards the ground. As soon as the kernels come out on their own, the harvest time begins. Place a cotton bag over the flower and cut off a piece of the stem. After the bag has been tied, hang it up in an airy, dry place. Within the next few days the ripe sunflower seeds will collect in it.read more
Drying sunflower seeds
You can create wonderful decorations with dried sunflowers. To do this, cut off the stems when the flowers have not yet fully opened. Hang the sunflowers individually or in small bouquets upside down in a place protected from the rain and surrounded by air. It can take several weeks until they are completely dry.read more
The sunflower varieties
When choosing your favorite varieties, don't limit yourself to the look of the flower or the height of growth. The huge range of sunflower varieties includes cultivars with these special attributes:
- High nectar production for bee pastures
- Extra early or particularly late flowering period
- Low or high oil content
- Maximum grain yield for a rich harvest
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The most beautiful varieties
- High Sun Gold: lushly filled sunflower with a height of up to 180 cm
- King Kong: a huge variety that easily reaches a height of 5 meters
- Peach Passion: enchanting breeding with peach-colored flowers
- Capenoch Star: classic sunflower perennial with a long flowering period from July to October
- Soleil d’Or: the historic sunflower with bulging flowers and a multi-year lifespan
- Florestan: impresses with red-brown ray flowers and delicate growth; ideal for pot culture
The sunflower as a perennial
The multi-faceted genre not only houses the annual classics. There are also magnificent sunflowers that thrive as perennials for at least 2 years. In return, they develop slightly smaller flower discs and do not reach monumental heights of 120-180 cm.read more
Little Sunflowers
Small sunflowers are perfect for the pot or garden with limited space. For this purpose, choose varieties with limited height growth, such as “Teddy” at 40 cm or “Double Dandy” at 60 cm. The dwarf sunflower “Pacino” is just 25 to 30 cm high.read more
The sunflower 'Evening Sun'
If you're looking for a flower beyond the beaten path, you'll find the Evening Sun sunflower. This variety impresses with branched growth and a breathtaking flower in rich red-brown.read more
