Are sunflowers suitable for growing indoors? Choosing the right variety is key
Sunflowers have a sun-seeking nature, so some people think that growing them requires a special environment, and some even think that sunflowers cannot be placed indoors. Is that really the case? Are sunflowers suitable for growing indoors? The answer is that sunflowers can be grown indoors, because among today's sunflower varieties there are types specifically intended for indoor growing.
Are sunflowers suitable for growing indoors
As we know, among the edible and oilseed types of sunflowers, the plants generally grow to more than 1.5 m, so these types are obviously not suitable for placing indoors. So are sunflowers suitable for growing indoors? Clearly they can be, because there are now many ornamental sunflowers on the market whose plants are 30-80 cm, and they can be grown indoors or on a balcony.
In addition, because sunflowers like sunlight and indoor sunlight is not as plentiful as outdoors, some netizens worry that sunflowers cannot bloom indoors. In fact, this worry is unnecessary. Although sunflowers have a sun-seeking nature, they are a short-day plant and are not very sensitive to daylength, so they can bloom normally even indoors, provided of course that water and light are sufficient.
The living environment sunflowers like
The living environment it likes best is a temperature between 15-25 degrees, with sufficient water and light; its soil requirements are low, and ordinary soil can ensure its normal growth. Sunflowers are fairly drought-tolerant. In spring and autumn they need little water, while in summer water should be appropriately increased. When the temperature falls below 10 degrees, the plant stops growing.
If grown indoors, as long as you make sure to water in time and give it enough light, it will grow and bloom smoothly. Of course, you can also learn about sunflower growing methods and precautions; adopting a more scientific approach can make sunflowers grow better.
The four growth stages of sunflowers
From sowing to final harvest, a sunflower goes through 4 different growth stages: the seedling stage, the bud stage, the flowering stage, and the maturity stage. Each stage has its corresponding characteristics.
1. Seedling stage
This stage lasts 35-50 days; if planted in summer, the time is somewhat shorter, at 28-35 days. This phase is the stage of leaf and flower primordium formation and floret differentiation. The plant grows relatively slowly, but the underground roots grow relatively quickly. At this time the sunflower is at its most drought-tolerant.
2. Bud stage
This stage generally lasts about 20 days. A star-shaped body 1 cm in diameter appears at the top, which is what we commonly call budding. This is the most vigorous growth stage of the sunflower, so it needs the most water and fertilizer, accounting for 40-50% of the total.
3. Flowering stage
The flower head goes from the ray florets opening to the tubular florets, and the whole process generally lasts 6-9 days. This stage is also the most delightful to look at; plump and brilliantly colored flowers appear at the top, leaving many people with beautiful memories.
4. Maturity stage
After flowering ends, the plant enters the maturity stage. Generally, from flowering to final maturity is 25-40 days, with slight differences depending on the variety. From flowering to bearing fruit, the sunflower is in fact also very ornamental. Though not as beautiful as the flowering stage, it has strong symbolic meaning, representing harvest.
Summary: Sunflowers are extremely adaptable, so they can grow in many places. They are plants that can be grown both outdoors and indoors, but the prerequisite is understanding some of their characteristics and choosing suitable varieties. Just do not grow edible-type or oilseed-type sunflowers indoors.
How to grow sunflowers? An illustrated guide to the whole sunflower growing process
How to grow sunflowers? Growing sunflowers well is actually very simple. You do not need too large a pot, too much soil, or even too much care. Come and give it a try too!Step one: Choosing seeds
Choosing seeds is very important. Sunflowers have different varieties, including the edible type, the kind that produces sunflower seeds, which is said to be able to grow up to 3 m tall; of course, that kind also needs a very large pot, and the flower is also enormous. At home people generally grow on a balcony, so it is better to use a small pot, which means choosing seeds of dwarfed ornamental sunflowers.
Step two: Sowing(1) Time - it is recommended to sow after the beginning of April, when the temperature can stabilize at around 20 degrees. At this time sowing does not require pre-soaking the seeds; throw them into the soil and they will sprout in 3 days and can be transplanted in 5 days. They grow especially fast.(2) Seedling soil - when the temperature is low, seeds may not sprout for a long time. At this time, if the soil used for seedlings is old soil from other plants grown last year, there may be small insect eggs in the soil layer, and before the seeds sprout, the eggs hatch first. Then the sunflower's seed kernel becomes the best food for the insect larvae!(3) Seedling pot - you can buy a pot specially made for seedlings, the kind with a transparent lid on top. This stops water from evaporating, and also lets you see clearly how the seeds are sprouting. Of course, you can also sow directly in a large pot, but remember after watering thoroughly to lay a layer of plastic wrap on the surface, so that while keeping warmth it also prevents water from evaporating too quickly. During the emergence period, no additional watering is needed.In summary: if you use ordinary soil, then sow when the weather is warmer, to avoid the seeds being eaten by small insects; if you use high-grade seedling soil, sowing earlier is fine, but you will still have to wait a long time for sprouting. So do not be impatient; it is better to sow a bit later!Step three: Transplanting
When the sprouted seedlings push up out of the soil surface and open two lovely cotyledons (I am not sure whether they are called cotyledons? Anyway, they are the first two leaves that grow), they can be transplanted into a large pot! The pot does not need to be too large, one seedling per pot. Do not be greedy and plant too many, or there will not be enough nutrients and there will be too little space, and in the end the leaves will not be able to spread out.
After transplanting, water thoroughly to settle the roots; be sure to water thoroughly. Then just leave it there. It is recommended to place it indoors in a sunny spot. If you have a sunroom, then put it in the sunroom. Do not put it outdoors right away, because in early spring the temperature is not yet stable enough and the temperature difference between day and night is still fairly large. Put it in the sunroom to get plenty of sun. Even if the temperature suddenly rises to 30 degrees for a few days, do not worry that the seedlings will die of heat; sunflowers are naturally not afraid of heat.
Because they are seedlings, they actually do not need much water, so you will find that after transplanting, as long as they are not placed outdoors, the potting soil stays moist for a long time. Do not water; at least for 1 week no watering is needed. Just let it quietly and slowly begin to grow true leaves, growing true leaves two at a time, and the speed will be quite fast.
Step four: Daily care
Once 3 or 4 pairs of true leaves have grown and the plant looks fairly strong, you can put it outdoors! If the weather is hot, water a little every evening after the sun goes down. If conditions allow, spray monopotassium phosphate on the leaves once every 3 or 4 days to promote the growth of branches, leaves, and flower buds. Then, just wait slowly, waiting for that little surprise of your own to quietly arrive on some sunny morning.
How to grow sunflowers: sunflower growing methods and precautions
When it comes to sunflowers, I believe everyone is familiar with them; they are all too common in daily life. Sunflowers are fairly common in our lives. Their seeds are the sunflower seeds we often eat, and they have extremely high nutritional value. So how do you grow sunflowers? I believe friends who have never grown them are quite puzzled. Below, let the editor teach everyone the techniques for growing sunflowers!
How to grow sunflowers
1. Choosing seeds. Prepare sunflower seeds. Sunflowers have different varieties. If you want to grow them in a flowerpot, you can use seeds of small ornamental sunflowers. If you are planting in a large flowerbed or yard, it is recommended to use the edible type.
2. Sowing. It is recommended to sow in April, when the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. Be sure to ensure the seeds are fresh and not moldy. Bury the seeds in the soil, and they will sprout in about 3 days and can be transplanted in about 5 days.
3. Transplanting. When the sunflower seeds sprout and push up out of the soil surface and open their cotyledons, they can be transplanted into a large pot. After transplanting, water thoroughly to settle the roots; be sure to water thoroughly. It is recommended to place them indoors in a sunny spot. If you want to place them under the sun, then you must water frequently.
4. Care. When about 3 to 4 pairs of true leaves have grown, spray some monopotassium phosphate on the leaves every few days to promote plant growth. Sunflowers need fertilization during growth; at this time be sure to use decomposed organic fertilizer.
Sunflower growing methods and precautions
For seedling raising, plug trays and nutrient pots can be used. The seedling substrate can be prepared from peat, vermiculite, and sand at a ratio of 2:1:1, and a small amount of organic fertilizer can also be mixed in. Potted sunflower seeds are relatively small and have relatively weak soil-pushing ability, so when sowing it is not suitable to plant them too deep; generally about 1 cm is enough. After sowing, cover with soil and press lightly. If raising seedlings in winter or spring, you can cover with film to keep warm and shorten the emergence time. After sowing, keep the soil moist. In summer, seedlings generally emerge in 3 to 5 days; in winter and spring, they generally emerge in 5 to 10 days.
Transplanting: transplanting as early as possible can shorten the recovery time and also prevent the appearance of "leggy seedlings." The plants can be transplanted when they grow 1 pair of true leaves. Two weeks after sowing, sunflower seedlings can grow strong root systems. The root system of sunflower seedlings is very strong, which is the basis for ensuring a relatively high transplant survival rate.
Water and fertilizer management: after planting, water should be appropriately controlled to prevent excessive vegetative growth. After budding, water appropriately according to plant growth to meet its growth needs. It is not recommended to apply base fertilizer, lest the fertility be too abundant and make the stems too thick. Topdressing can be done according to plant growth conditions, or fertilizer can be applied by foliar spraying.
Pest and disease control: the incidence of pests and diseases in sunflowers is relatively low. The main diseases are bacterial leaf spot, rust, stem rot, powdery mildew, and black spot; the main pests are aphids, mirid bugs, red spider mites, and beetles. If they occur, control can be carried out according to the symptoms.
Sunflower flowering stage management methods
1. Ensure sufficient water and fertilizer supply
From budding to flowering is an important period in a sunflower's life. During this period, the plant's water demand accounts for 60% of the entire growth period. If the water supply is insufficient, it will cause poor seed development. Therefore, during this period, ensure a sufficient water supply, apply fertilizer appropriately together with watering, and apply urea plus diammonium once a week.
2. Carry out artificial assisted pollination
If what is grown at home is ornamental sunflowers, this step can be omitted. Under natural conditions, sunflowers rely on bees and other insects to complete pollination. To increase the pollination rate of sunflowers grown at home, artificial assisted pollination can be used. Make a powder puff from cotton cloth, cardboard, or cotton wadding (the shape of a makeup powder puff is fine; you can directly use a powder puff, though its small size makes pollination rather troublesome). Prepare pollen in advance, sprinkle it on the pollination puff, and gently press it onto the flower head. Choose the time from 9 to 12 o'clock for pollination, when the dew has just receded and there is more pollen. Usually pollination should be carried out 2 to 3 times.
3. Carry out sunflower borer control
Sunflower flowering will attract many insects, mainly the sunflower borer. The sunflower borer feeds on sunflower seeds and forms crisscrossing tunnels in the flower head. On rainy days, the flower head will gradually rot. The sunflower flowering period happens to be the active period of the sunflower borer, which hides by day and is active at night. Talc powder can be diluted into a dust formulation and sprayed, once every 2 to 3 days.
From the above, I believe everyone now knows how to grow sunflowers! Although we see sunflowers a lot, we have rarely grown them. If you have the chance, you can grow them together with the children in your family! Wait for the sunflowers to slowly sprout, grow, bloom, and bear fruit, and feel the miracle of life!