Sunflowers are bright yellow blooms, which track the sun. These are annual plants that grow big. Growing sunflowers is easiest as they’re heat tolerant, drought tolerant and fast growing. Sunflowers are valuable from an economic as well as an ornamental point of view. The leaves are used as fodder, the flowers yield a yellow dye, and the seeds contain oil and are used for food. The sweet yellow oil obtained by compression of the seeds is considered equal to olive or almond oil for table use. Sunflower oil cake is used for stock and poultry feeding. The oil is also used in soap and paints and as a lubricant. The seeds may be eaten dried, roasted, or ground into nut butter and are common in bird seed mixes.
Common Name | Sunflower |
Botanical Name | Helianthus |
Plant Type | Annual |
Plant Size | 3-16 Feet |
Bloom Time | Summer & Rainy Season |
Flower Colour | Bright Yellow, shades of gold, cream, rose, pink, brown |
Growing Season In India | March-Nov |
Native Area | North America |
Species | Around 70 Species |
Exposure to Sun | 6+ Hours per Day |
How to grow Sunflowers
Growing a sunflower plant is easiest, sow the seeds in ground 1-2 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight. The seeds can be sown from January to June for flowering during summer and rainy season. The plants flower in 2-3 months from seed sowing.
Sunflower Care
- Water the saplings around the roots, about 3-4 inches from the plant.
- Once established, they are drought tolerant but make sure to water them once a week. You can now water them deeply for a good bloom.
- However these plants do not need fertilizer, but if your soil is poor you can use a slow release fertilizer or organic manure.
- Sunflowers that grow 3 feet or larger need support to prevent them from breaking under the stress of summer winds and rain. Bamboo or other types of wood stakes work well for it.
- Sunflowers are relatively pest free however some fungal disease might affect the plant. If any disease is spotted, spray them with a general fungicide.
Uses
- As a garden flower, sunflowers make an amazing display. Inside also, you can put the flowers in a tall vase to support them well so that they don’t fall.
- Sunflower is used in making healthier vegetable oil.
- Sunflower seeds are used as a healthy snack. These seeds are also used as bird food and are loved by birds.
- The coloured petals of sunflower plants can be used to make natural dyes of colours ranging from orange to a light tan.
- Sunflower leaves are also used to treat malaria fever.
- It has therapeutic properties.
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