Growing of Sunflowers facts plant ,types , care.

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a living annual plant in the family Asteraceae, with a large flower head (capitulum). The stem of the flower can grow up to 3 meters tall, with a flower head that can be 30 cm wide. The flower head is actually an inflorescence made of hundreds or thousands of tiny flowers called florets. The central florets look like the center of a normal flower, apseudanthium. The benefit to the plant is that it is very easily seen by the insects and birds which pollinate it, and it produces thousands of seeds.

To grow well, sunflowers need full sun. They grow best in fertile, wet, well-drained soil with a lot of mulch. In commercial planting, seeds are planted 45 cm apart and 2.5 cm deep. The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas. That is why Kansas is sometimes called the Sunflower State.

Benefits Of Sunflower Seeds

Vitamin E

 Vitamin E also protects the components of lipoproteins, which traffic fats throughout the body. Failure to get enough vitamin E can result in neurological problems, such as balance problems, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and eye damage. Given the high-fat content of sunflower seeds, they make an excellent source of this fat-soluble vitamin. Each quarter-cup serving of sunflower seeds provides 82% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols are a type of nutrient found in plant-based foods. Although phytosterols are not considered vitamins or minerals, there is growing recognition of their role in human health. Getting enough phytosterols is associated with lower cholesterol levels, better immune system functioning, and even protection against certain cancers. In fact, phytosterols are often added to processed oils and foods because of their nutritious properties

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is required for hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body. Without enough magnesium, many physiological processes begin to fail. For example, magnesium is important for energy metabolism, creation of new DNA, production of the antioxidant glutathione, providing structure to the bone and cellular membranes, transporting ions across cell membranes, and signaling between cells.

Selenium

Selenium is another trace element that your body needs to function properly. Selenium is an essential component of at least 25 types of proteins in the human body (Tsuji, 2015). It is particularly important for the activity of glutathione peroxidases, a class of molecules with antioxidant effects. Thus, selenium prevents the damage of cellular DNA through oxidative damage.

Copper

Copper is also important for proper neural functioning. The presence of copper is needed to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine and to create the myelin sheath that keeps information traveling quickly through your neurons.It is also important for cardiovascular functioning.

Eating sunflower seeds

You can eat sunflower seeds raw or buy dry roasted seeds with or without the shell. They also come in flavored varieties. Unsalted, raw kernels are the least processed versions of the seeds, says Yeung, but pick a speed that you'll enjoy so that you'll actually eat them.

Wild sunflower leaves have a rough, scratchy texture and are lance-ovate, egg-shaped, or heart-shaped, and can measure up to 30 cm long. The leaves are alternate and both the leaves and stems have course hairs.

Growing Tips for Sunflowers

• Water sunflowers regularly during the essential growth period.
• If you plant your sunflowers in poor soil, add a slow-acting fertilizer.
• Support your sunflowers with staking if they grow over three feet.
• Use barrier devices around your sunflowers to deter wildlife during harvest time.
• Check the back of the flower head for yellowing to identify seed ripening.
• Hang flower heads upside down in a warm, dry place and harvest seeds into a bag.

 

Ways to Use Sunflowers

When you grow sunflowers in the summer, you can harvest the large blooms and use them in many ways through early fall. You can gift sunflowers to a friend or loved one, decorate your home with their welcoming yellow hue or incorporate them into a wedding arrangement.

Gifts

Gifting sunflowers is the perfect way to show someone you’re thinking of them. Sunflowers symbolize strength, adoration, and loyalty, so they’ll have sentimental meaning to friends, family, and romantic partners alike.

Decorations

Sunflowers are commonly used in fall decors, such as wreaths and fall bouquets. Their bright yellow tone goes well with the deep browns and oranges of fall. You can incorporate sunflowers into your table arrangement, display them on your mantel, or welcome guests into your home by placing them outside your front door.

Weddings

If you plan to have a rustic or outdoor wedding, sunflowers can be an excellent addition to your bouquet. The flowers will make your bouquet pop as you walk down the aisle, and they’ll bring a natural element to your ceremony.

Sunflower plants pass through four main development stages from planting to harvest; a vegetative phase, a reproductive phase, a period of ripening, and senescence or dieback.

in dieback seeds are being formed again from seed new plant will grow this is the pure round cycle of plants.

Types of sunflower

Tall Sunflowers

Soaring to as high as 16 feet tall, these giant beauties are always trying to get their vibrant petals closer to the sun. The sunflowers that grow the tallest usually have big single stalks with large brown centers that connect to golden yellow petals. Birds love tall sunflowers, because of their height and ability to produce a plethora of seeds in their centers.

Skyscraper

• The Skyscraper sunflower rises high above the ground and can reach heights of up to 12 feet.
• These plants are held up by durable stalks and can produce 14-inch flower petals.

Sunforest Mix

• This sunflower’s height can get anywhere from 10-15 feet high and 40 inches across.
• When planting these it is important to leave three to four feet between them so they have room to grow.

American Giant

• We recommend sectioning off a corner of your garden for this one because this sunflower can grow up to 15 feet!
• With the long length off the stem and a face that grows to be about one foot in width, it is no wonder they call this sunflower the American Giant.

Russian Mammoth

• This sunflower’s height ranges from 9 to 12 feet high and is used in a lot of county fairs and flower shows because of its size and effortless ability to grow.
• The Russian Mammoth lives best in the Mediterranean climate and can propagate as early as April.

Schweinitz’s

• This sunflower is one of the rarest species in America and is named after Lewis David von Schweintz a botanist who discovered the species in the early 1800s.
• Its average height is about 6.5 feet, but has been seen to grow up to 16 feet tall!

Dwarf Sunflowers

Dwarf sunflowers have the same low maintenance care requirements as their taller family members and grow best when in full sunlight. Because of their smaller stalks, seeds only need to be placed three to six inches away.

Sundance Kid

• One of the very first dwarf sunflowers to ever be domesticated, this flower grows anywhere between one to two feet tall.
• Reaching about knee high with bicolor red and yellow petals, this dwarf sunflower is truly one of a kind.

Little Becka

• The average height of this pollen less sunflower is around one to two feet tall and can also be classified as a bi-colored sunflower because of its bright orange and red petals.
• The Little Becka looks great in gardens when wanting to add a little splash of color.

Pacino

• The Pacino sunflower, also known as the “dwarf Pacino gold,” usually grows to be about 12 to 16 inches with a maximum height of two feet.
• These sunflowers produce multiple heads on each plant and look great in large pots or planters.

Suntastic Yellow

• Only getting to be about 20 inches tall, what these sunflowers don’t have in height they make up for in bold golden petals.
• The Suntastic Yellow likes to grow in packs of about five or eight and is perfect for gardens or bouquets.

Sunny Smile

• Ranging from 12 to 15 inches tall, these miniature sunflowers bloom best in early to late summer.
• The Sunny Smile’s small size makes them extremely easy to grow, and their sturdy stalks are perfect when gardening with children or pets.

Colored Sunflowers

Terracotta

• The Terracotta is different from other colored sunflowers because instead of orange and red hues, it produces a more brown color on its petals.
• The brown clay color it possesses makes it ideal for fall displays.

Earthwalker

• This flower is known for its dark earthy hues that can range between browns, reds, and golds.
• The Earthwalker can grow anywhere between six to nine feet tall and is perfect for making a statement in the garden.

Ms. Mars

• This striking flower has gorgeous red-to-purple hues that transform into a subtle yellow on the tips.
• They grow to be about two feet tall and look great in flower beds and borders.

Chianti

• Without knowing this type of sunflower beforehand, one might not even recognize it.
• Arguably one of the darkest sunflowers in the species Helianthus, the deep red wine petals of the Chianti makes it perfect for a dramatic contrast in any garden.

Moulin Rouge

• No other sunflower quite matches the consistent, unique color the Moulin Rouge.
• Like its exotic name, this sunflower develops an extravagance of burgundy red petals that look fantastic in bouquets.