Introduction
Sunflowers deserve all the attention they get. Stately and dramatic, these garden
showstoppers are not to be upstaged. Spectacular new colors appear each season and only
add to the growing appeal of these wonderful summer flowers. The focal point of every
garden landscape, sunflowers are among our most exciting performers.
Sunflowers range from recently developed dwarf plants that grow to only two feet tall, to
the traditional giant types that may exceed 15 feet in height. Blossoms can be as small as
3 inches wide to over one foot across. Their single or double rows of petals may be
mahogany, orange, lemon, yellow, gold or red.
Sun
Sunflowers grow best in locations with full sun. They are remarkably tough and will grow
in any kind of soil as long as it is not waterlogged. They do fine in soils that are
slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline. Once sunflowers get started, they can tolerate
drought as befit plants whose ancestors grew happily in dry regions. They are so easy to
grow that they often plant themselves, springing up unbidden beneath a bird feeder.
Water
Sunflower roots spread widely and can withstand some drought. However, it is best to water
them regularly during their most important growth period which is about 20 days before and
after flowering. Deep, regular watering helps encourage root growth, which is especially
helpful with taller sunflower varieties bearing top-heavy blooms.
Fertilizer
Sunflowers do not require fertilizing. However, because they grow vigorously (they can
easily grow 6 feet in just 3 months), it's a good idea to add some slow-acting granular
fertilizer to especially poor, thin soil. The better their diet, the larger the flowers.
Do not overdo the nitrogen because that will delay flowering. Spreading a 2- or 3-inch
mulch layer of some kind of organic material on the soil will reduce moisture loss through
evaporation and discourage weeds.
Support
While a few sunflower varieties do not need any staking, it is a good idea to support
plants that grow over 3 feet tall or are multi-branched. Their branches are fairly
brittle, especially at the points where they join the stems. Shallow rooted and weighed
down with many large flower heads, plants are vulnerable to summer winds and rain. Tie the
plants loosely to stakes with lengths of cloth or other soft material as needed.
Check flower heads for signs of maturity. The reverse side turns from green to a
yellow-brown. Large heads will nod downward. A close look will reveal the tiny petals
covering the developing seeds have dried and now fall out easily exposing the tightly
packed mature seeds.
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