Wanted poster of the sunflower
- Botanical name: Helianthus
- Order: aster-like
- Subspecies: annuus, atrorubens, decapetalus, giganteus and others
- Family: Asteraceae
- Origin: North and Central America
- Distribution area: worldwide
- Varieties: approx. 70 species
- Uses: oil extraction, animal feed, soil improver, ornamental plant
- Height: 20 cm to 500 cm
- Leaves: green, heart-shaped, serrate, hairy
- Flower: Eye with tubular flowers, outside ray-florets
- Flower size: 8 to 40 cm
- Colors: yellow to dark red, also multicolored
- Flowering period: June / July to October / November, depending on the variety
- Perennial: H. annuus annual, perennials perennial
- Winter hardy: H. annuus not hardy, most perennials hardy
- Edible: kernels, with perennials also the tubers (Jerusalem artichoke)
Preferred in a sunny location
As their name suggests: Sunflowers love the sun. The sunnier the location, the more beautiful the flowers will be.
also read
- Water the sunflower properly
- The flowering time of the sunflower
- The rapid growth of the sunflower
A permeable soil is a prerequisite. Sunflowers like a lot of moisture, but the roots do not tolerate waterlogging at all.
As a heavy consumer, the sunflower needs very nutritious soil. She tolerates regular fertilizers up to twice a week.
Grow outdoors or in a pot
The large varieties of sunflowers develop the most beautiful flowers outdoors, provided the summer is very sunny, warm and it does not rain too often.
Sunflowers can also be grown in pots or, better still, containers and cared for on the terrace or balcony. Small varieties are best suited for this.
Care for sunflowers in the flower vase
Sunflowers also look great in the flower vase. However, they don't last very long there. Daily water changes and frequent cutting increase the life of the flowers.
If you want to preserve sunflowers longer, it is advisable to dry the flowers.
Drying is also recommended if you want to harvest the kernels to feed them as bird feed in winter or to use them in the kitchen yourself.
Tips & Tricks
The flowers and leaves of the sunflower always align with the sun. This growth form is called heliotropism. Only those parts of the plant that are currently in the shade grow.
