Interesting facts about the leaves of the sunflower

Interesting facts about the leaves of the sunflower

Shape and size of the sunflower petals

The uniformly green leaves of the sunflower are shaped like a heart. The edges are jagged or, better, sawn, as these leaf edges are called in technical jargon.

also read

  • Interesting facts about the origin of the sunflower
  • The structure of a sunflower
  • The rapid growth of the sunflower

A clear distinguishing feature is the hairiness that can be found on the leaves. They grow in opposite directions, so there are no pairs of leaves like other plants.

The average leaf of the sunflower is 20 to 40 centimeters long and 12 to 30 cm wide - depending of course on the respective variety. The bigger the sunflower, the bigger the leaves are.

What can be read on the leaves

You can tell from the leaves of the sunflower whether the plant is healthy or sick and whether something is missing. If the leaves are drooping, you should water them very quickly, as they indicate that the soil is too dry.

If the leaves remain small and puny, the sunflower lacks important nutrients. Fertilize the plant with nettle manure, horn shavings, (€ 6.39 on Amazon *) cattle manure (€ 17.80 on Amazon *) or seasoned compost.

Recognize diseases on the leaves

If a slimy coating forms on the leaves or if they change color in summer, a disease can be responsible:

  • Whitish, moldy-looking coating: powdery mildew
  • Reddish spots and discoloration: downy mildew
  • Large yellow spots: fungal diseases

Infested leaves should be cut off and disposed of, but not in the compost. Usually the plant is too moist or too dense.

Pests

Holes in the leaves indicate pests. Aphids, spider mites, thrips, bed bugs and caterpillars are found mainly on plants that are not well cared for.

Look at the undersides of the leaves and the soil under the plant, as this is where many of the pests hide.

Collect them or treat the sunflower with suitable, non-toxic sprays.

Tips & Tricks

Just like the flowers, the leaves of the sunflower always align with the sun. That is why a sunflower field looks very different in the morning than it does at noon or in the evening.