Sunflowers herald summer with haunting symbolic power. Their kernels serve as nutritious food for humans and animals. In order to coax the majestic blossoms out of it, you need plenty of water and fertilizer, but only marginal gardening knowledge. This is how the cultivation succeeds in an exemplary manner.

The sunflower is an annual, non-hardy plant

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant sunflowers properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. What is the best planting time?
  5. When is flowering time?
  6. Properly cut the sunflower
  7. watering the sunflower
  8. Fertilize sunflower properly
  9. Sunflower in the pot
  10. Is sunflower poisonous?
  11. Are sunflowers poisonous to cats?
  12. Where does the sunflower come from?
  13. The Sunflower: A Wanted Poster
  14. The structure of the sunflower
  15. How fast does the sunflower grow?
  16. How big does a sunflower get?
  17. grow sunflowers
  18. How to care for sunflowers as a houseplant
  19. Pull sunflower on the balcony
  20. Caring for sunflowers in pots
  21. Are sunflowers hardy?
  22. sow sunflowers
  23. prefer sunflowers
  24. Sunflowers germinate
  25. The sunflower root
  26. The leaves of the sunflower
  27. The sunflower blossom
  28. Harvest sunflower seeds
  29. Dry sunflower seeds
  30. The sunflower varieties
  31. The most beautiful varieties
  32. The sunflower as a perennial
  33. Little Sunflowers
  34. Sunflower 'Evening Sun'

    35. Plant sunflowers properly

    To plant sunflowers in the garden, wait for the ice saints to leave in May. Then follow these steps:

    • Dig a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
    • Enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings
    • Plant the potted young plants at a distance of 50 cm and water them

    With a garden fleece, you can initially protect the bed from delayed ground frosts and approaching snails.
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    care tips

    The linchpin of skilful sunflower care is a generous supply of water and nutrients. Water the plant abundantly right from the start, directly on the root area. It is fertilized weekly with compost, horn shavings (32.93€) and nettle manure. In particular, a sunflower should not be lacking in nitrogen.

    Which location is suitable?

    The ideal location for the sunflower is sunny, warm and sheltered from the wind. Fresh, moist soil, rich in nutrients and without the risk of waterlogging, elicits optimum beauty and vitality from this ornamental flower.
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    What is the best planting time?

    Plant a hand-grown or ready-made sunflower from the garden center in the bed or bucket from mid-May. From this point on, the risk of delayed ground frosts is minimal.
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    When is flowering time?

    Sunflowers bloom from July to September. Newer breeds can even bloom well into October.
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    Properly cut the sunflower

    Annual sunflowers usually do not require pruning. Serve as vase decorations, cut the flowers early in the morning and briefly immerse the cut in boiling hot water. On the other hand, pruning perennial species and varieties contributes to improved growth and a neater appearance. How to cut sunflower perennials correctly:

    • To limit the growth height, cut back the sunflower in spring
    • Don't cut after flowering
    • Cut off excess buds and stunted shoots in good time

    After pruning, the sunflower perennial is watered immediately so that it recovers quickly.
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    watering the sunflower

    The water requirement of a sunflower is proportional to the high degree of evaporation via the foliage. How to water the flower correctly:

    • If the surface of the earth dries up, it is watered
    • Water in the morning and evening during summer drought
    • Protect the sunflower in the planter from waterlogging

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    Fertilize sunflower properly

    The nutrient requirement of a sunflower is at the highest level. Fertilize the gem weekly with compost and horn shavings or an alternative organic fertilizer. Since sunflowers consume nitrogen, the organic solid fertilizer is supplemented with nettle manure.
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    Sunflower in the pot

    The quality of the substrate is of the utmost importance for the sunflower in the pot to give its best. Do not rely on commercially available potting soil, but offer the plant this combination:

    • A mix of 1 part compost and garden soil, enriched with horn shavings, rock flour (14.13€) and a handful of sand
    • Alternatively, a high-quality potting soil based on compost with a portion of lava granules (€13.99) or expanded clay

    As the sunflower develops a significant biomass and root system, the pot should be both voluminous and sturdy.
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    Is sunflower poisonous?

    The sunflower provides valuable kernels, rich in healthy ingredients. Only the plant sap and the pollen can pose a health problem for allergy sufferers. If in doubt, wearing gloves and respiratory protection during planting and care work prevents possible skin irritation and breathing difficulties.
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    Are sunflowers poisonous to cats?

    The sunflower is by no means poisonous to cats. On the contrary, the majestic plant is one of the few plants that are recommended for the cat-safe garden and balcony.

    Where does the sunflower come from?

    The sunflower comes from the warm regions of South America. As archaeological finds show, the Aztecs and Incas already worshiped the sunflower as a symbol for their deities.
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    The Sunflower: A Wanted Poster

    The profile of a sunflower tells us a wealth of important details for the best possible cultivation. Pay special attention to these attributes:

    • Asteraceae plant family
    • Annual or perennial herb
    • Growth heights from 40 cm to 5 meters
    • Yellow, orange, or reddish-brown pseudoflowers with many thousands of tubular florets
    • After fertilization, tubular flowers develop oily nuclei

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    The structure of the sunflower

    The structure of a sunflower is structured as follows:

    • Deep roots
    • Rough hairy flower stalk, mostly unbranched
    • Alternate, heart-shaped leaves
    • Disc-shaped flower head with yellow ray florets and brown tubular florets

    After fertilization by insects, the tubular flowers turn into sunflower seeds.
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    How fast does the sunflower grow?

    The growth of a sunflower proceeds in these stages:

    • Sow in the bed from April
    • Germination after 8-14 days
    • Growth of leaves and stems in May
    • Bud formation from June
    • Beginning of flowering in July
    • Average duration of the growth phase: 150 days

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    How big does a sunflower get?

    The wide range of species and varieties has the right sunflower for almost every size requirement. Small flowers are available from a height of 40 cm, while the giants easily reach 500 cm and higher in the sky.
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    grow sunflowers

    Hobby gardeners who are keen to experiment simply grow their individual sunflowers themselves. To do this, harvest the seeds of the dried flowers and keep them in a dark, dry container throughout the winter. In March of the next year, sow the seeds in pots on a warm windowsill. Plant out from mid-May in a sunny, nutrient-rich bed, let yourself be surprised by the flowering results from July.
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    How to care for sunflowers as a houseplant

    In order to care for a sunflower in the room according to all the rules of gardening art, these measures are important:

    • Place in a sunny, warm window seat
    • Provide shade from the midday sun behind glass
    • Determine the water requirement daily with a thumb test
    • Feed with liquid fertilizer once a week

    If necessary, place a support stick in the ground next to the flower stalk to prevent a tall sunflower from tipping over.
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    Pull sunflower on the balcony

    Small sunflowers transform the balcony into a sea of summer blossoms. Choosing a large pot with a volume of more than 20 liters plays an important role in ensuring that flowers are not spoiled. There should not be more than 3 specimens per planter. In addition, only a nutrient-rich, well-drained substrate is suitable. Check the need for watering every day and apply a weekly dose of liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.
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    Caring for sunflowers in pots

    In order to properly care for a sunflower in a pot, the root ball must not dry out at any time. In addition, the high need for nutrients is covered by a weekly dose of liquid fertilizer. Alternatively, apply slow-release fertilizer in the form of sticks or cones.

    Are sunflowers hardy?

    The classic sunflower is an annual, non-hardy plant, as its botanical name Helianthus annus suggests. The genus also includes various biennial species and varieties that tolerate frost down to -20 degrees Celsius and thrive like a perennial.
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    sow sunflowers

    Sunflowers can be sown behind glass from March and directly into the protected bed from April. Sow the seeds 2-3 cm deep in a mix of sand and potting soil. At constant temperatures of 14-18 degrees, germination takes 8-14 days in a sunny location. During this time, the seed must not dry out.
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    prefer sunflowers

    From March you can grow sunflowers on the sunny windowsill, with constant temperatures of 14-18 degrees Celsius.
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    Sunflowers germinate

    To get sunflower seeds ready to germinate, fill a 15 cm pot with loose, slightly sandy garden or potting soil. Plant 2-3 seeds 2 centimeters deep in the soil and sprinkle with water. You can look forward to the first seedlings within 8-14 days on a sunny to partially shaded, warm window seat.
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    The sunflower root

    A sunflower root reaches more than a meter deep into the earth. Tubers are not formed. The plant therefore leaves a first-class loosened soil for subsequent crops.
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    The leaves of the sunflower

    If the sunflower lets its leaves droop sadly, it is signaling that you are unwell. These causes can hide behind it:

    • dryness
    • nutrient deficiency
    • Root damage from repotting
    • Waterlogging in the bucket
    • Location too dark

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    The sunflower blossom

    When you see a sunflower blossom, you are actually looking at a pseudo-blossom consisting of up to 15,000 individual blossoms. The yellow ray florets surround the true tubular florets and have the sole task of attracting insects for pollination.
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    Harvest sunflower seeds

    Harvesting the rich kernels of sunflowers is not difficult. Be patient until the flower head dries completely and begins to droop towards the ground. Harvest time begins as soon as the seeds come out on their own. Put a cotton sack over the flower and cut off a piece of the stem. After tying the sack, hang it in an airy, dry place. Within the next few days, the ripe sunflower seeds will collect in it.
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    Dry sunflower seeds

    You can create wonderful decorations with dried sunflowers. To do this, cut off the stems before the flower has fully opened. Individually or in small bouquets, hang the sunflowers upside down in a rain-protected, air-flushed place. It can take several weeks for them to dry completely.
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    The sunflower varieties

    When choosing your favorite varieties, do not limit yourself to the appearance of the flower or the height of the plant. The huge range of sunflower varieties includes breeds with these special attributes:

    • High nectar flow for bee pastures
    • Extra early or particularly late flowering period
    • Low or high oil content
    • Maximum grain yield for a bountiful harvest

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    The most beautiful varieties

    • High sun gold: lush double sunflower up to 180 cm high
    • King Kong: a massive strain that easily reaches 5 meters in height
    • Peach Passion: an enchanting variety with peach-colored flowers
    • Capenoch Star: classic sunflower perennial with a long flowering period from July to October
    • Soleil d'Or: the historic sunflower with bulging flowers and a lifespan of several years
    • Florestan: impresses with red-brown ray florets and graceful growth; ideal for pot culture

    The sunflower as a perennial

    The multifaceted genus not only accommodates the annual classics. There are also magnificent sunflowers that thrive as perennials for at least 2 years. In return, they develop slightly smaller flower heads and do not reach monumental heights of 120-180 cm.
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    Little Sunflowers

    Small sunflowers are perfect for the bucket or the garden with little space. For this purpose, choose varieties with limited height growth, such as "Teddy" at 40 cm or "Double Dandy" at 60 cm. The dwarf sunflower "Pacino" is just 25 to 30 cm high.
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    Sunflower 'Evening Sun'

    If you are looking for a flower that goes off the beaten path, you will find it in the evening sun sunflower. This variety impresses with a branching growth and a breathtaking bloom in rich red-brown.
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Vegetable garden