table of contents
- Sun lover
- Sunflower growth
- Good care
- frequently asked Questions
A sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most rewarding flowering plants in the summer garden. If the conditions are right, the sunflower grows surprisingly quickly and with this growth reaches a considerable size.
In a nutshell
- common sunflower belongs to the annual flowering plants
- produce one to two flowers each year
- Growth is primarily influenced by specific location factors and maintenance
- as sunny, warm location as possible
- Watering and fertilizing is also hugely important
Sun lover
The name already suggests it: Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is an absolute sun lover. She feels right at home even in the strongest midday sun in summer. The sun is essential for them and has a major influence on their growth. Overall, the following factors in particular play a role in their growth:
- sunny location
- adequate water supply
- sufficient supply of nutrients (fertilization)
The date of sowing is also important for the development of the flower. In the field, the seeds of sunflowers can be sown in the field from April to May. It is important that there is no longer any fear of frost. The earlier the sowing, the earlier Helianthus annuus will bloom.
Sunflower growth
If the above conditions are correct, sunflowers grow extremely quickly. The plant only needs about three months to be in full bloom. Depending on the sowing date, this will be the case between July and October. In this short period of time, the plants usually reach a considerable height of one to two meters. Sometimes it also happens that individual sunflowers up to three meters can grow big. As fast as they grow, however, they also die off again quickly after flowering. All that is left is usually the hairy style and the leaves, which are best disposed of on the compost in the case of the annual plant.
Good care
Proper care for the sunflower is of great importance for its growth. The most important thing is an adequate supply of water and nutrients. In concrete terms this means:
- In summer, it is best to water the plant well in the root area early in the morning or late in the evening
- make sure that the area around the roots is always moist
- However, waterlogging must be avoided when pouring
- ideally use a fertilizer for flowering plants
- fertilize at least once a month
Tip: It is best to tip the fertilizer into the irrigation water as a liquid fertilizer.
In addition, you should make sure that the plant does not bend, as this could counteract the growth of the sunflower. You may need to use a Climbing aid provides, on which it can then continue to grow.
frequently asked Questions
Yes, it is possible and it is often done. The advantage: If the young plants are then allowed to go outside, they already have a certain strength and then continue to grow faster. But be careful: Transplanting outdoors should only take place when frost is no longer to be expected.
No, sunflowers usually get along well without supports. However, it may be the case that the flower is so large that the plant would buckle under its load. Then some help with a support made of wood is helpful.
Yes, of course you can. Birds and other animals will be happy about it. However, one should not expect that the seeds will automatically grow new sunflowers again in the coming year. Ice and frost in winter usually prevent this. The seeds usually do not survive the cold season outdoors. It is always better to collect them, dry them and keep them in a warm paper bag until the next sowing.
