Sunflowers are native to North America and was cultivated from a wild bushy muti-headed plant to the single stemmed plant with a large single flower, by indigenous peoples about 4500 years ago. Sunflowers are a warm season crop grown as a annual, harvested late summer. Plants are grown for oil, seeds, ornamental, and many other reasons. They are relatively easy to grow, heat tolerant, pest resistant, and fast growers. Sunflowers have there far share of issues like being top heavy because of the flower size and weight. Sunflowers were brought back to Europe in the early 1500s, becoming a major crop by the 20th century. Some mammoth varieties can grow over 10ft tall, and have a taproot to equal its height. Sunflowers can be grown in containers, dwarf varieties are best for this option. Sunflowers are heliotropic which means the head will follow the sun during the day and return at night.
Plant and go
Botanical Name: helianthus
| Depth: 1-1½" |
Spacing: 12-18" |
Row: 2-3' |
Temp: 55-65F |
| Germ: 7-10 days |
Sun: Full/ 6-8 hrs. |
pH: 6.0-7.5 |
Harvest: 70-100 days |
| Soil: well drained/moist |
Container: 5-gallon |
Fertilizer: 10-10-10 |
Fert Freq: Every 2-3 weeks |
|
|
|
|
Details
Pick a variety that works with the space you have available. Dwarf varieties are best for container growing. Larger plants will need overhead space, wind considerations and possible staking. Pick a location with direct sunlight for 6-8 hours, sow seeds 1-1 ½ inches deep after all frost has passed. Spacing goal is 6-18 inches after seedlings have been thinned. Row space about 30 inches apart. It’s not recommended to transplant sunflowers, they don’t like there taproot disturbed. If you do transplant wait until seedlings are about 3-4 itches tall, and use as much of the original dirt keeping the root ball intact as much as possible. Sunflowers like soil temperatures 50F for germination which can take 7-10 days. Growing temperature range between 50-80F. To thin wait until all the seedlings are about 3 inches tall. Pick the underperforming seedlings and cut at soil level. Prepare plant site or container by mixing in compose or preferred Fertilizer, 10-10-10 is the recommended formula. Sunflowers like moist well drained soil, and watering about 1-2 inches per week.
Harvest
Many varieties can grow very tall in only a fee months. 70-100 days is the average maturity time for these plants. There are 6 phases to sunflower growth seedlings, shoots, bud, bloom, wilt, regrowth. Wilt phase is when you want to harvest your plant for the seeds. If your using a side cut flowers, and ornament that time is subjective. To harvest and deadhead cut the stalk behind the head a few inches above the first set of leaves you find. This is also deadheading and may encourage new flowers. You’ll know it’s time to harvest when the flower has died back and the blooms are brown. Once you remove the flower hang in a cool dry place for 5 days or so. To remove the seeds use gloves or bare hand and rub the seed off the flower. Clean and dry again and repeat as needed.
Tip
Sunflower are prone to tipping over. Be mindful of your areas wind direction. Place sunflowers in a spot that reduces wind or use staking as needed.
Fun fact
The tallest sunflower on Record is 30 foot 1 in tall.
Conclusion
With so many varieties of sunflowers out there as a beginner variety for you. They can be grown from Alaska to Florida. They can get top heavy so be prepared to stake to keep the plants from being knocked over.
