With their iconic vibrant petals and reputation for hardihood , it ’s no wonder sunflower are one of the dear merchandising blossom class after class . These leisurely to grow plant come in numerous varieties calculate on what colour and size you need for your garden or arrangements . If you ’re ready to add this basic to your summer garden , this post shroud everything you need to learn about how to produce sunflowers .
Sunflowers just might be the perfect depleted - maintenance yet eye catching plus to your garden . These dramatic plants are a staple , and they ’re comfortable to originate .
You ’ll find sunflowers at the florist standpoint of your local farmers market and liner fences in your neighbourhood during the hotness of summertime into the early surrender .
This giant sunflower was a Mother’s Day gift from Kiddo, who was approximately 5 in this photo!
While the bright yellow flower of the common helianthus ( orHelianthus annuus ) are Graeco-Roman , dissimilar variation can add contrasting color to your garden . you could even mature a mixed bag of sizes , making them a great option for arrangements !
Here ’s what I ’ll be mouth about today …
Meet the Sunflower
aboriginal to North America , helianthus are best know for their vibrant icteric petals , which resemble ray of sunshine .
Besides their ornamental use , sunflower can be used to increase the production of other crops , such as maize and squeeze , in a method acting similar tothe Three Sisters’ . This is a method acting ofcompanion plantingthat indigenous people of North America have been doing for thousands of years .
When it comes to get a line how to grow sunflowers , there are two type you should know : single - stem and branching .
Single - stem or non - forficate sunflowers are placeable by their longsighted , straight stems , which make them utilitarian for flowered agreement . These plants produce one peak per seed , and the size can vary depend on how far apart they are institute . mintage of single - radical helianthus admit the Marley and Procut Bicolour smorgasbord , as well as the Sunrich Series .
Branching sunflowers , which include the Chocolate , Greenburst , and Starburst Panache multifariousness , bring forth more flowers over a farsighted period of sentence , with multiple stems in a more shaggy-haired growth pattern . As a consequence , they require more room to grow .
There are also some species ofperennial sunflower .
If you are trust for a garden that does n’t require planting each twelvemonth , these would be a great option . Though smaller than the orotund yellow efflorescence you ’re used to , perennial sunflowers can still add a daddy of brightness to your low - maintenance garden .
How to Grow Sunflowers
Whether you ’re hoping to add a merry contact to an already launch garden or sow your first seeds , their mantrap and hardiness make sunflower a great choice . If you ’re quick to get planting , this grow guidebook has everything you call for to know .
When and Where to Plant Sunflowers
Though sunflowers are typically associated with the belated summertime and other fall , they can be planted in the spring as soon as the atmospheric condition warm up and frost is no longer a concern .
I choose to get my sunflowers start within due to the fickle nature of spring in Canada and the abundance of slug in my ecosystem . If you ’re doing the same , embed your seeds 2 - 3 weeks before you plan to graft them into the garden . You’ll experience they ’re ready to be moved outside , when your sprouts are 3 - 5 inches improbable .
you may also plant your seeds immediately in your garden . I find that when I directly seed them , either the birds eat the seeds or the lick run through the sprout . So make trusted toprotect them with netting or a cloche until they are about five inch improbable .
Whether you ’re planting inside or out of doors , make indisputable tofully cover your seed with soil , as sunflowers ( ironically ) sprout in the dark .
helianthus do n’t need any special dirt , so whatever garden orpotting soilyou’ve got will do .
Light
As the name suggests , helianthus call for slew of visible light . for thrive , they require at least8 hours of direct sunlight . That shady spot next to your fencing is not the place to plant these light - loving flowers .
Water
helianthus require the most body of water after they ’re first planted , sowater your sprout often to keep the grunge moist .
After your sunflowers are found , they are considered alow - upkeep , drouth - resistantplant . Water them on a regular basis , but do n’t worry if the soil dries out between watering . During intense heat , they may need some extra moisture .
Pruning
If you ’re grow single - stem sunflower , there is no need to worry about pruning .
For branch varieties , I commend pinching your plant life back to 4 leave once they grow to be 12 - 18 inches . If you ’re harvesting your sunflower , cutting the bloom from the stand of the prow can also avail further unexampled development .
Common Pests and Diseases
Your sunflowers aremost vulnerable in the early stages of germination . This is one reason to count starting the seeds indoors and transplant them into your garden .
However , if you ’ve opted to plant your germ straight in the ground , cover the sproutscan help protect them from bird , deer , and other beast . I wish to apply lightweight netting or cloche , but any sort of crybaby wire or fencing will do the trick .
I also commend changing where you plant your helianthus each year to help prevent disease .
How to Grow Sunflowers in Containers
Planting sunflowers in raft can be a bully option if you have limited outside distance .
Many varieties will grow well in a container or base as long as it has drainage holes . Just keep in mind these sunflowers will be smaller than those plant straight in the background .
await for short dwarf variety such asthis portmanteau from West Coast Seeds .
How to Harvest Sunflowers
If you ’re growing sunflowers in hopes of decorating your kitchen table , I highly indicate choosing apollen - complimentary varietyto save yourself the cleanup position and avoid deflower that new pastel tablecloth .
you could harvest your sunflowers as before long as the first petals start to unfurl . To extend the spirit of your helianthus without adding any chemical preservative , make certain to get rid of the leaves from the stem , leave only the top leaf .
Your beautiful sunflowers willlast about a week in a vase . Keep in mind that a tender surround will zip up the flower ’s chess opening . If you ’re saving them for a specific occasion , you may direct them in a coolheaded field of your home to slow down down the blooming summons .
FAQs About Growing Sunflowers
While sunflowers do respond to light , they do n’t move in the room you ’re probably see . In other words , their heads do not rotate throughout the day along with the sun . Contrary to popular belief , sunflowers only respond to light before they flower . During this stage , more growth occurs on the gay side of the stalk , get the flower to eventually tilt to one side , usually east .
Spacing your seeded player aright is an authoritative part of learn how to acquire sunflowers . For branching sunflowers , 18 - 24 inches is the ideal space between seeds , as these type of helianthus acquire bombastic quite quickly . The spacing of single - bow sunflower is up to you , as you may control the size of it of your sunflower blossom by change the spatial arrangement of seeded player . I find leaving 4 - 6 in of space between seeds gives me the perfect flowers for bouquets . If you ’re hop for larger sunflowers , just space your seeds out more .
Sunflower seeds like warm grime temperatures of about 21 - 25 ℃ for optimal growth . ensure to hold back until the atmospheric condition has warmed and the all-night frost has passed . If you live in a cool climate like I do , you may want to look at starting your seeds inside .
Once your seeds are in the ground or a pot , it wo n’t take long for them to startle growing . You ’ll likely observe sprouts poking through in just a few days . From there , depending on the variety , your sunflowers will start up flower 2 - 3 month later on . Some types of sunflower take up to 110 day to grow flower .
More Flowers to Grow From Seed
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