Sunflower – Flowering plants

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an ornamental, annual herb, a flowering plant grown up to up to 3 m tall, with an erect, unbranched, rough-soft-hairy stem. The leaves are broad, coarsely toothed, rough and mostly alternate, up to 40 cm long. The bloom is up to 15 inches in diameter and is actually a blossoming head of numerous small individual 5-petaled blooms. The outer flowers which resemble petals are called ray flowers. The blossoms in the center of the head are called disk flowers. The ray flowers are tongue-like and yellow in color, and the disk flowers are small, tubular and brownish. Most sunflower assortments start to bloom in mid-summer and continue for several weeks. The fruit is long, flat-oval, slightly angular, smoothly haired–virtually glabrous cypsela, usually tipped with 2 withering bristles.

Scientific Name: Helianthus annuus
Common Names: Sunflower

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Sunflower:

Light:
It prefers full sun for six to eight hours each day. Their flower heads will turn and follow the sun all day, so a full sun exposure will help them grow tall.

Soil:
It thrives well in a moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. It prefers the soil pH level is 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic).

Temperature:
It prefers an ideal temperature between 70-75°F during daytime and 65-68°F during night time.

Water:
Water regularly during the growing season, will help them set flowers. They will stop blooming during periods of drought.

Fertilizer:
Fertilizing regularly throughout summer with a liquid feed when you water will help promote continuous flowering. Be careful too much nitrogen can inhibit flowering.

Propagation:
Propagate by division in spring or autumn or Propagated by seed. Sow seeds directly into the soil after the danger of spring frost is past.

Harvest:
To gather sunflower seeds, cut the heads off when they start to yellow at the back and hang them upside down in a dry location away from rodents and birds. Once dry, rub the seeds off and soak overnight in 4 liters of water with 1 cup of salt in it. Dry in a low warmth, 120°C/250°F oven for 4 to 5 hours and store in an airtight container. The black-seeded assortments are mainly for oil and birdseed. The grey and white-striped assortments are for drying and eating

Pruning:
Helianthus annuus plant do not need pruning.

Pests and Diseases:
No serious pest and disease problems. Rust, leaf fungal spots and powdery mildew are somewhat common. Caterpillars and beetles often chew on the foliage. May require staking, particularly if grown in exposed locations.

Advantages of Helianthus annuus (Sunflower):

• Helianthus annuus is an edible medicinal plant. The delicate leaf petioles, seeds, and blooms are edible and used in the treatment of an assortment of ailments.
• The Helianthus annuus seeds are used to extract edible oil, Sunflower Oil which is extremely rich in Vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acid. It additionally contains lecithin, tocopherols, carotenoids, and waxes.
• The leaves are expectorant, diuretic and astringent. The intake of Sunflower leaf tea helps to reduce fever. The poultice of leaves is applied on sores, spider – snake bites, and swellings.
• The oil is utilized as a part of cooking and cosmetic formulation. Intake of this oil decreases the risk of coronary-arterial diseases and serum and hepatic cholesterol. In cosmetics, it is applied to the skin due to its soothing properties. It does not block skin pores. The oil is also used in the preparation of skin conditioners, emulsifiers, cleansers, and thickeners.
• The blossoms are used to make yellow dye. The fatty acid is used as a base for ointments and creams. The infusion of freshly bloomed ray flowers is used as a tranquilizer. It is also helpful for high blood pressure. It reduces fever and used a medicine for malaria.