What are the planting methods and growing conditions for sunflowers?
Sunflowers represent sunshine and hope, the flower of light, bringing people a beautiful feeling of hope. Looking at sunflowers makes you feel that life is full of faith and vitality. Imagine being in a field full of sunflowers, what a wonderful feeling that would be. When it comes to sunflower planting methods, we first need to consider its growing conditions. Let's take a look together below!
I. Growing Conditions for Sunflowers
1. Temperature: Sunflowers, which face the sun, love sunlight. When the soil temperature is above 3°C, the seeds begin to sprout. However, rooting and sprouting require around 6°C. Maintaining normal growth requires keeping the temperature at 11°C.
2. Water: Sunflowers have relatively strong heat tolerance, so their water demand is also high. Compared with corn, they need one to two times as much water as corn. But throughout the entire growth process of sunflowers, the water required at each growth stage is different. Watering according to need is the best approach.
3. Light: Sunflowers grow toward the sun and are not afraid of sunlight exposure. Even at the seedling stage, the flower disc and leaves crave light. When there is plenty of sunlight, the stems and leaves will be very lush. The fruiting rate will also increase. The sunflower seeds will grow plumper. So choosing a place with ample sunlight to plant sunflowers is a necessary condition.
4. Soil: Sunflowers are relatively less demanding about soil. Because sunflowers have well-developed root systems. They love sunlight and have strong drought tolerance. During growth, sunflowers' root and stem aeration is itself quite good. Even in places with plenty of water, they can still be planted.
II. Sunflower Planting Methods
1. Choosing and preparing the land
Although sunflowers are relatively less demanding about soil. But choosing a good plot of soil for planting is very necessary. In terms of soil type, whether clay or light sandy soil is fine, but the acid and alkali tolerance is 5.5-8.5. If the acidity or alkalinity is too strong, it will affect the growth of sunflowers.
Relatively deep and level soil is needed. When preparing the land, it must be worked finely. Hard soil must be broken up. Stones must be removed. When sowing, new high-fat film can be stirred in evenly. This prevents pests. Improves the germination rate.
2. Seed selection and treatment
When choosing seeds, you certainly want to choose good varieties. This way they grow faster. Their ability to resist viruses is also stronger. Visually, the grains need to be plump. Good in color. After selecting the seeds, put them in the sun to dry for 2-3 days, and remember to turn them promptly. At the same time, pay attention to disinfecting the seeds.
3. Sowing time
The temperature in March and April is 19-26°C, which is the most suitable time for sowing. However, some varieties have seasonal requirements, so you can consider them according to the actual situation. Sprouting can occur 6-8 days after sowing.
4. Checking the field and filling in seedlings
Sunflowers are a dicotyledonous crop. If rainy weather occurs when they break through the soil and emerge from their shells, the soil can become compacted and they will not be able to grow out. So seedlings need to be filled in. All those that have not grown out need to be replanted.
5. Thinning and final singling of seedlings
If sunflower seedlings are too dense, it will affect their growth, so thinning is needed and the final stand also needs to be set.
6. Cultivating and weeding: Compacted soil will affect the growth of sunflowers. So loosening the soil is important. When two true leaves have grown, cultivate and weed once. One week after final singling, cultivate and weed again. Before the rows close, cultivate and weed once more. At the same time, fertilizing, earthing up, and trenching are also needed.