Sunflowers are perhaps the most cheerful and endearing native flower in the United States. For centuries, Native American tribes have harvested these versatile flowers for a variety of nutritional, medicinal and spiritual purposes. Today, they are grown on virtually every continent in the world. Here are some helpful hints for growing and harvesting your own.
When purchasing seeds, keep in mind that most commercial varieties of sunflowers seeds are hybrids. This won't make a difference when consuming the seeds, but if your planning on collecting seed for future stock, look for heirloom varieties instead. Seeds should be planted at a depth of 2 inches and spaced 12 inches apart in rows spaced 24 inches apart. Tall varieties or those with extra large heads will need more space. Germination occurs quickly, usually within 7-10 days (often sooner). Most varieties reach maturity in 80-90 days.
The twenty-day period leading up to harvest is the most critical time in the development of sunflower seeds. Avoid placing water stress on plants during this time (either too much or too little) and keep soil moisture levels as consistent as possible.
Non-Insect Pests: Birds and Squirrels love sunflower seeds as much as the gardeners that grow them. Because sunflower seeds mature right around the time these critters are gearing up for fall, your sunflower crop can quickly become ransacked if not protected. Cover sunflower heads with nylon stockings, cheesecloth or paper bags to make robbing the seeds more difficult. Avoid growing your sunflowers near fences or low buildings that offer quick access to squirrels.
Insect Pests: Sunflower moths (the larvae), aphids and white flies are the primary insect pests to watch out for. Sunflowers need bees for pollination, so the use of chemical insecticides isn't recommended. Aphids and white flies can usually be kept under control by periodically spraying your sunflowers with a strong jet of water. Delaying planting until late May or early June will reduce the likelihood of sunflower moth problems.
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I feed all birds and they always leave me a gift of Sunflowers. I have hundreds of sunflowers, just from birdseed.
Tips for growing sunflowers from the ThriftyFun community. Plant them in full sun. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart (or according to package directions). Water well after planting.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My sunflowers were about 4-5 feet tall, but not yet flowering. Deer chomped the tops off. Will they continue to grow and eventually flower now?
Put pieces of Irish Spring soap in pantyhose legs and hang them around the sunflowers
When I used to raise sunflowers, I was all about prevention (I liked using old CDs on colorful string to scare off critters). Since they were in the back and side of the house, the esthetics were OK. I polled my friends who still raise them and no one has had luck getting them to re-bloom after deer grazing.
Yes, I've got many of these sunflowers planted in my yard but just this one has blooms growing all the way up the stem. Why is it doing this?
Can you please help me to figure this out? It's driving me crazy not knowing? Please and thank you.
I love sunflowers (in their place) but the branching variety is especially nice as you can many times cut several flowers at one time from only one plant.
There are a large number of different types of sunflowers and quite a few branching types; the branching type is not usually found in stores (maybe could be found in Ace Hardware stores?) and I have always had to order online.
Some sites call these heirloom but many varieties are easy to find online.
Information:
"Branching sunflowers last weeks longer than single cut sunflowers because they keep sprouting new stems, even if they go uncut for a week. They are a true 'cut & come again' cut flower. Branching sunflowers get so tall and literally look like trees with huge branches of sunflowers growing out of their sides (hence the name). I find that branching sunflowers produce stems that are shorter and skinnier, which makes them easier to work with in vase arrangements."
Two of my favorites are; Strawberry Blonde and Maximilian
www.johnnyseeds.com/
www.springhillnursery.com/
Information:
www.johnnyseeds.com/
Any tips for growing sunflowers?
By Billy
Well, the obvious answer is full sun! We plant them near our barn so that they are sheltered from damaging wind, and make sure the soil is very loose and rich. A bumper crop every year!
I agree, just lots of sun. Sunflowers are super easy, you shouldn't have a big problem.
We live on a hill, good breeze & wind all the time and our soil is a bit on the clay-ey side. I just plant the seeds, water them every now & then and basically leave them alone. They grow beautifully. The ones I planted on Mar. 3rd are about 4" tall now and doing great, even with a couple of late season light frosts.
Yes, they're quite easy! Good luck & have fun with them!
Full sun and good drainage. Also protect from birds.
I grew them. You need full sunlight and plenty of water.
How do you grow sunflower seeds?
By Kristina K.
You need to buy the seeds (as opposed to trying to plant what you eat). I just dig a small hole drop them in, cover and water. You can also start them inside in a paper cut and transfer outside when ready.
I like to grow the ones that get up to 12 foot (the giant ones) so I plant them along a picket fence around one of my flower gardens so that I can tie them to the fence if needed for support.
They are very fun to grow.
You buy a pack of seeds. Plant in a sunny area in the spring. Then in the fall you will have plenty of seeds in the center of each sunflower
Are sunflowers perennials? Do they re-grow each year or do you have to plant new seeds every year?
Hardiness Zone: 6a
By Mark from Birmingham, MI
While most sunflowers are annuals and the seeds have to be replanted every year, there ARE some very similar to sunflowers that are perennials, depending on the SIZE that you want. Check out by googling or ask etc to ask what is similar to sunflowers but are perennials. I know that helleniums (I am not sure of the spelling), and I think Mullins are similar, if you want tall ones. But if you want true sunflowers, you must plant every year! (But they are sure worth it in beauty!)
Sunflowers are annuals, but do self-seed! Mulliens look like overgrown Foxglove, are annuals too, and also self-seed prolifically. They are not nearly as pretty as sunflowers, and can be quite invasive and do only come in yellow! Helleniums are family members and some are perennials. There are so many beautiful Sunflowers, it is just fun to plant different colors/versions each year. They are varied from creamy whites, to beautiful deep burgundies, even multi-colored!
Hardiness Zone: 9b
Marcia from Alturas, FL
There are a couple of different insects that specifically go after the seeds on sunflower plants. One is the Sunflower Seed Weevil (the Red or Gray variety), and the other is the Sunflower Midge.
In the larvae stage, Sunflower Seed Weevils have cream or yellow colored bodies that are legless and c-shaped. The larvae usually emerge in mid to late summer to feed on the seeds. There are several non-chemical methods used by commercial growers here in the Midwest to control the weevils. They include yearly crop rotation, early planting, fall plowing to destroy over wintering larvae and trap cropping.
If you're are not familiar with the term, trap cropping is planting a border consisting of a row or two of "bait" sunflowers around the perimeter of your main sunflower crop. These "bait" sunflowers should be planted so they bloom 10-14 days ahead of the rest of your crop. The emerging larvae will naturally migrate toward the first sunflowers that bloom and produce pollen. When they become concentrated in one area of the field, it is easier and more economical to manage them. When your trap crop becomes infested with weevils, you can then spray them with the appropriate chemical control. What you spray will depend on whether or not you're going to sell the sunflowers as cut flowers, or for consumption by animals, etc. Laws regarding insecticide use on commercial flowers can vary from state to state, so I would contact your local county extension agency for more information on the rules governing the commercial growing and selling of sunflowers in Florida.
The Sunflower Midge larva has a small (0.07 inch) cream colored body that is tapered to the front and rear. The larvae emerge in early July to feed on the sunflowers' developing heads and seeds.
Most conventional insecticides are not effective against the Sunflower Midge, because the larvae crawl inside the seed soon after hatching so they are protected from topically applied chemicals. By delaying planting until late May or early June, you can significantly reduce the amount of crop loss due to midge damage. Again, your country extension agent should be able to give you more detailed advice on controlling these pests in your area.
Good luck!
Ellen
Cover them with panty hose.
I agree with the panty hose. Please don't use any sprays, because some of beautiful song birds may eat the seeds or the bugs.
I have entered a competition to grow the tallest sunflower. At the moment it is three feet, but has started to come into flower. Will this stop the plant from growing taller?
It will probably stop now. You will probably get more blooms and they will be a bit taller.
Here's a guide if you would like to try again: www.sunflowerguide.com/
Why my sunflowers turn brown from top to bottom as soon as they start to bloom?
Hardiness Zone: 7b
Glavern from N.C.
I would think it is from the heat and drought we are having as I am in Greensboro, NC. Sunflowers are very hardy and easy to grow. Better luck you next year!
My 8 foot sunflower has 4 buds appearing on it. Should I remove 2 of them to give it a chance of flowering? It has been 3 weeks and the other ones are all blooming.
By Jax
This is my first time growing sunflowers. The one that is the farthest along is so big, it is drooping almost all the way to the ground. Am I supposed to stake it? Am I supposed to continue to water it? Thanks.
By Renee M.
My sunflowers have started to bloom, but the are not lasting long before they die. What can I use on them? Some of the leaves are big, but don't have any buds on them. What's wrong? I water them everyday sometimes even twice a day.
By Pamela T.
My brother said that the poop of African worms is organic and in their school they have something like a pig pen, 3 meters wide and 2 meters tall and inside of that is full of soil and African worms. Every month their teacher harvests the poop using it like soil for planting. My brother got some and put it in our backyard. I got some of it and put it on my sunflower; is it good or what?
By Eunel from Philippines
How many leaves should a sunflower have if it is more than one month old?
By Eunel from Philippines
The plant has two or more sucker flowers heads. Should I cut them out or trim the bottom leaves?
By Erik
Check out these photos.
We decided to plant sunflowers around our entire garden this year since they are needed for the continued support of the bumblebee, which have been added to the endangered list. They are a real symbol of joy and hope~
I captured these photos of the bees on our sunflowers busy pollinating the flowers.
I captured these photos of a goldfinch eating the sunflower seeds from our flowers in our front garden. I took the pictures from inside looking through our glass doors.
I have found feeding your flowers with a nice solution of plant food makes your blooms look wonderful. . .
