In our latitudes, the sunflower is the symbol of midsummer. The often gigantic plant is grown not only because of its beautiful flowers. It is grown industrially as an oil crop and soil improver.

The Latin name of the sunflower is Helianthus

Description of the sunflower

  • Botanical name: Helianthus
  • Order: Asteroids
  • Subspecies: annuus, atrorubens, decapetalus, giganteus and others
  • Family: daisy family (asteraceae)
  • Origin: North and Central America
  • Distribution area: worldwide
  • Varieties: about 70 species
  • Usage: oil extraction, animal feed, soil improver, ornamental plant
  • Height: 20cm to 500cm
  • Leaves: green, cordate, serrate, hairy
  • Flowers: Eye with tubular flowers, ray florets on the outside
  • Flower size: 8 to 40 cm
  • Colours: Yellow to dark red, also multicolored
  • Flowering time: June/July to October/November, depending on the variety
  • Perennial: H. annuus annual, perennials perennial
  • Hardy: H. annuus not hardy, most perennials are hardy
  • Edible: kernels, in the case of perennials also the tubers (Jerusalem artichoke)

Sunny location preferred

As the name suggests, sunflowers love the sun. The sunnier the location, the more beautiful the flowers will be.

A permeable soil is a prerequisite. Sunflowers like a lot of moisture, but the roots do not tolerate waterlogging at all.

As a heavy feeder, the sunflower needs very nutritious soil. It tolerates regular fertilizer application up to twice a week.

Grow outdoors or in a pot

Outdoors, the large varieties of sunflower produce the loveliest flowers, provided the summer is very sunny, warm, and doesn't rain too often.

Sunflowers can also be grown in pots or even better in buckets and cared for on the terrace or balcony. Short-growing varieties are best suited for this.

Caring for sunflowers in the flower vase

Sunflowers are also very beautiful in the flower vase. However, they don't last very long there. Daily water changes and frequent pruning increase the lifespan of the flowers.

If you want to preserve sunflowers for longer, it is advisable to dry the flowers.

Drying is also recommended if you want to harvest the kernels to use as bird seed in winter or to use in the kitchen yourself.

tips and tricks

The flowers and leaves of the sunflower always face the sun. This growth form is called heliotropism. Only the parts of the plant that are currently in the shade grow.

Category:

Vegetable garden