How to plant sunflowers

The first thing is to choose which variety interests you. Some, like the Maximilian, are ornamental, while others are more suitable for seed production. The good thing is that practically all of them have the ability to attract many pollinating insects, something very beneficial for your other plants. If you want your garden to be filled with biodiversity, here you can learn more about Plants and flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.

Below we offer you a list so that you know the different types of sunflowers so that you can get a better idea of ​​which one suits you best, although we always recommend you consult with the professional of the store where you buy the gardening or horticultural material.

Sunflower seeds can be sow directly outdoorsbut it is more advisable to do the germination of sunflower seeds in seedbed To maximize the chances of success:

1. Prepare a seedbed if you don’t already have one. You can use seed boxes or any other plastic container such as cups or yogurt.
2. Use a substrate made with a part of coconut fiber, another of peat and another of earthworm humus.
3. Soak the sunflower seeds or pips in water for an hour before planting the seeds, which you can distribute in pairs or trios in your seedbeds.
4. Leave them on the surface of the earth, horizontally, and then cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
5. Finally, water to moisten the entire substrate.

In about 10 days, you should see the first seeds germinate, and 10-20 days later, when the temperatures are warm enough, it will be time to transplant them to their final location.

Once the seeds or sunflower seeds are germinated, it is time to plant the small plants in their final location so that they continue to grow.

When to plant sunflowers

Towards mid spring It will be the right time to transplant your sunflowers to the orchard, garden or its definitive pot. Doing it this way, from seedbed, we advance the whole process, with which we ensure the success of the crop.

How to plant sunflowers step by step

1. Prepare an area with rich, very loose soil. This plant does not necessarily require soil rich in organic matter, although, of course, it does appreciate it. What is necessary is that the soil is loose and without weighing it down.
2. Respect about 30 cm of distance between each of your sunflowers, or up to 50 if they are large varieties.
3. Proceed to place each sunflower plant in each hole that you have prepared with the appropriate distance and cover the base well with more substrate to fix the plant.
4. Water thoroughly after transplanting sunflowers.
5. Make sure you put them in a very sunny location.

Some of the main types of sunflowers are:

• Giant or mammoth sunflower: this is one of the best known. It is one of those that has a more striking yellow tone, with a well-defined brown center and is very large.
• Medium Sunflower: it has a well-defined dark brown center, many wide, dense petals, and a deep yellow hue. These striking flowers only last a few days.
• sunflower teddy bear: It is one of the most different types, since it has a large number of fine petals that even cover the central part, giving it a teddy bear or pompom look. This is one of the smallest varieties, since it only reaches a maximum height of one meter.
• Maximilian Sunflower: this one, unlike the previous one, has fewer petals and each one of them is wider. In addition, it has a smaller central part or button than other species of sunflowers.

now that you know how to plant sunflowers and you can have your plant from the pipe or germinated seed, we encourage you to take note of the main care of sunflowers:

light for the sunflowers

The most important thing to keep in mind for the care of sunflowers, as their name suggests, is that they be located in a location where they receive a minimum of 6 hours a day of direct natural light.

Irrigation

As the plant needs so much sun, it also requires very constant watering, since it dehydrates due to the light, like all of them. Water your sunflowers every so often, although you don’t have to do it with large amounts of water each time. The ideal is to maintain a moderate and constant irrigation, without flooding or keeping the ground always moist. Irrigation, in addition, is especially important in the early stages of the plant. You will know that your sunflower needs more water if its leaves begin to curl downwards or if the corollas show signs of retracting.

Soil and substrate

As far as the soil is concerned, it is good that the plant has depth in which it can take root. Organic matter is favorable but not necessary, although the contribution of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium is. Good drainage is also essential.

Below you can see a video on the care of sunflowers and here you can consult the practical guide on How to care for sunflowers.

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