Sunflower
Also called Common sunflower.
| Light | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 3 days in the growing season, every 14 in winter |
| Humidity | medium |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Height | Up to 250 cm (98 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats not known, dogs not known |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, no entry for Helianthus annuus; Sunflower entry covers H. angustifolius.
A sunflower is a season in one plant: sown as a fat seed a child can handle, up to head height by midsummer, and a bird table by autumn. Sow in March or April in the north, either in pots under cover or straight into warm ground, and up to May for a later flower. In South Africa sunflowers are among the annuals sown through the spring months from September. Give each plant deep soil, half a metre of room, and a stake driven in at sowing time rather than later, when the roots are in the way. Water properly in dry weather, because a tall one uses a startling amount. Leave the seed head standing when it browns and the finches will strip it for you through the autumn.
Ailments observed
| Limp, drooping leaves | Thirst, which shows within hours on a plant this size. Soak the root area rather than sprinkling the leaves. Mulch around the base so the ground holds what you give it. |
|---|---|
| Long bare stems and pale new leaves | Sown too early indoors and kept in poor light before planting out. Sow later and directly into the ground where possible. A stretched seedling never makes a sturdy stem, however well you stake it. |
Filed underPlants that forgive a beginner
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