Sunflower how long do they live

Sunflower for this growth timeline and that is the iconic giant sunflower. The giant sunflower can grow up and over 6 feet tall and their flower heads are majestically large. I have based this general growth timeline observing the sunflowers I grow in my own garden.

Depending on your growing conditions you might find a slight variation in some of the stages of growth. I usually plant the sunflower seeds I have carefully stored from my previous years harvesting. The seed is the dormant undeveloped stage of the plant.

This is where the life cycle is waiting to begin. The sunflower seed, with its shell on, is a single dried out fruit of a plant in its whole form. In botanical terms it is called a cypsela. Within this whole seed is all the nutrients and genetic information needed to grow another sunflower plant.

This is the first stage of the seeds awakened life. Underneath the soil, out of sight, the wispy roots reach out and a developing shoot pushes its way to the surface of the soil, looking for sunlight. Our seedling has become a young sunflower plant.

This is its development stage to gain as much growth as it can. If you have started your seeds off indoors then the time will come to harden them off and transfer them to their growing site outside. This usually happens towards the end of spring when the last of the harsh weather has gone. The newly sprouted sunflower usually has 2 baby leaves on it and quickly grows many more as the stem starts to get taller. The first few sets of sunflower leaves are usually oval in shape but as more leaves come they look like the heart shaped leaves of a mature sunflower, only smaller.

The young plant starts to develop rapidly, getting as strong and tall as it can. You can find out how this amazing process works here. Our sunflower plant is still growing and our bud is trying to get all the hours of sunlight it can in order to get as much energy for the bud to develop and enlarge. The way our sunflower does this is by following the sun. This is also the stage to keep your sunflower hydrated.

Regular watering is so important for the budding and flowering stage of its life, so it can grow strong and big. With all the care we have given our sunflower the bud has grown as big as it can and starts to flower. Our sunflower has now reached its blooming stage and gently opens its petals. With all its glory it shows off to the world. We can enjoy this wondrous sight for a few weeks.

In all its petaled gloriousness our sunflower welcomes pollinators to visit the thousands of nectar filled disc florets that are located within the large brown center circle. The pollinators, mainly bees, sip on the nectar, while pollon gets stuck on their fluffy bodies. They transfer this pollen to another flower which starts the pollination and fertilization process. Sunflowers pollinate in the usual two ways, but they also have a mysterious fail safe mechanism to ensure pollination and fertilisation does happen.

This stage of our sunflower is fascinating in itself. The main object of its whole life cycle has come to this, producing as many healthy seeds as it can.

It's useful and in some cases necessary to understand and to identify when the plant is at, or has moved through different growth stages. An annual plant, sunflowers have big, daisy- like flower faces of bright yellow petals and occasionally red and brown centers that ripen into heavy heads filled with seeds.

Sunflowers are heliotropic, which means that they turn their flowers to follow the movement of the Sun across the sky. Sunflowers are available all year round but some varieties may only be available during peak times, which is September to October according to Sarah from The Flower Bird.

As a general rule, deadhead flowers when they start to fade, or when they are damaged and no longer attractive, but do so before they produce seeds. When a sunflower's flower head stops looking as vibrant as it once did or when its yellow ray petals have fallen off, select it for deadheading. They do not turn towards each other.

Once the sunflower matures it stops following the sun and is content to just soak up the rays as they fall. Fully developed blossoms usually stop and stay in an east facing direction but there is always a rebel in the patch who chooses a different view. Your seeds should be ready to harvest within to days after you planted the flower. This means that if you planted your seeds in May, your sunflower will die in early or mid-August and you should have ready-to-harvest seeds in late-August or September.

Cover and keep watered until seeds sprout in 7 to 10 days. When first true leaves appear the second set of leaves ; thin plants to about 2 feet apart. Depending on the variety, sunflowers will mature and develop seeds in 80 to days. Sow a new row every 2 to 3 weeks to enjoy continuous blooms until the first frost. With proper care, sunflowers should last from six to twelve days.

To maximize the vase life, look for flowers that are just starting to fully open. Choose strong, straight stems with perky flowers that look at you.

A vase full of sunflowers can brighten any room, but it's disappointing when they start to wilt and droop after just a few days. According to Grower Direct, cut sunflowers can last anywhere from five to 12 days. Taking proper care of your sunflowers can extend their life. However, if your soil is very poor you can use a slow-release granular fertilizer to encourage larger flowers.

Be careful - too much nitrogen can inhibit flowering. Sunflowers that grow over 3 feet tall or have large, heavy flower heads are vulnerable to flopping or even breaking under the stress of summer winds and rain. Sunflowers grown from seed sown directly in the garden will have well-established roots and stronger stems and be less likely to fall. To further encourage proper root growth, provide well-draining, organically-rich soil, and plenty of space between plants.

These annual plants boast giant flowers, sometimes measuring more than a foot across. They make a good screen or backdrop and attract all sorts of pollinators. Some varieties have edible seeds. Most need staking to prevent them from falling over in the wind or rain. Photo by: Proven Winners. Height: 1 to 4 feet tall Bloom size: 2 to 10 inches across. Dwarf sunflowers are good for containers or small gardens.

Many dwarf types are branching and offer multiple blooms per plant. Some are double-flowered, some are bicolored, and some are pollenless. Dwarf sunflowers are the perfect size for cutting and using in arrangements.

Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear'. Height: 2 to 6 feet tall Bloom size: 4 to 8 inches across. Known for their fuzzy, fluffy, or soft texture, double sunflowers are attention grabbers. Available in semi-double or fully-double forms, their flowers last longer than single-bloom varieties and make excellent cut flowers.

Many are pollenless or have minimal pollen. Zones: Height: 1 to 10 feet tall Bloom size: 2 to 5 inches across. Perennial sunflowers will come back year-after-year. While most varieties of this bright beauty are annual sunflowers, meaning they will not come back the following growing season, they may self-germinate from dropped seeds if you leave the heads on the plants throughout the winter. The perennial Maximillian sunflower features small blooms in late summer and early fall.

It can be grown as a perennial up to hardiness Zone 3. You can grow many small varieties of sunflowers in pots and containers. Dwarf sunflowers are perfect for growing in pots. Instead of featuring one sunflower on a single stalk, dwarf varieties are bushy and may feature more than one bloom per plant. The sunflowers grow up to five inches in diameter on stalks up to three feet tall.

No need to wonder about how to care for sunflowers in pots, this annual plant has the same needs for water, fertilization and sunlight in either gardens or containers. When sunflowers are young they exhibit heliotropism. This means their flowering heads track the sun as it moves across the sky. As the stem matures and becomes woody, the tracking usually becomes less noticeable.

The leaves may still follow the sun, but the flower will not. In many varieties, maturity causes the sunflower to face the ground, which reduces the risk of bird damage. Nozzles with Swivel Connect. The swivel allows the nozzles to pivot without. As winter marches on, avid gardeners become more and more eager to get growing.

While you may not be able to dig your spade into the soil just yet, there is plenty. Design a Beautiful Drought Resistant Yard. Learn everything you need to know about drought tolerant landscaping, including the best type of plants,. Choose a Sunny Spot It almost goes without saying that sunflowers love the sun. Prepare the Soil Well-draining soil is essential.

Time It Right Choosing when to plant sunflower seeds requires a bit of waiting. Plant the Seeds Different sunflowers require different planting depths and spacing. Give Plenty of Moisture Because sunflower seeds contain large amounts of natural oil, they require a lot of water for germination.

Thin the Seedlings Once the sunflower seedlings have their first set of true leaves, thin the seedlings to the recommended row spacing for your variety.

Water Although sunflowers require a lot of water to germinate, they only require an inch of water per week during the growing season. Control Weeds One of the greatest sunflower challenges is weed control. Manage Pests and Disease Although many pests love sunflower plants, the damage is usually minimal.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds Harvesting sunflower seeds is the perfect way to enjoy both the beauty of the flowers in your garden and their delicate seeds. Cover the Sunflower Heads Seeds naturally fall out of the flower heads as they dry. Remove the Seeds Once thoroughly dry, seeds are easy to remove.

Store for Flavor To keep sunflower seeds as fresh as possible, store in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator. Types of Sunflowers Sunflowers come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Some of the most popular garden sunflowers include: Mammoth — the giant of garden sunflowers. This heirloom plant grows up to feet tall and features huge inch wide blooms with abundant seeds. Quick growth makes for a perfect hedge, screen or sunforest for children.

Plant seeds 1-inch deep and space 2-feet apart for the best results. Autumn Beauty — a vibrant choice for flower gardens. The bold flowers feature 8-inch wide blooms in bright yellow, bronze and purple combinations.

Growing up to 4-feet tall and featuring multiple branches, Autumn Beauty makes an excellent cut flower for floral arrangements. Also known as the common sunflower, the plant has edible flower buds which are delicious when battered and fried. Seeds should be planted 2-inches deep and spaced inches apart.