Planting Notes - Sunflower Edition

1. Select high-quality raw sunflower seeds and soak them in clean water for half a day. Choose a flower pot, make holes, and sow. The size of the flower pot determines the size of the sunflower later on.For a flower pot with a 10cm diameter and 10cm height, planting one plant is enough. For a larger pot, such as 15cm diameter, you can plant 2-3 plants; of course, if fertilizer and water are good, planting one plant will grow better.The sowing depth we choose is generally 1-2cm. If the soil is relatively loose with larger gaps, to prevent the seeds from being dried out by wind, it is best to plant deeper, and 2cm is more suitable.

Note that the pointed end of the sunflower seed faces down

2. It sprouts in about 3-5 days. Sunflowers are still very easy to grow. Place them in a sunny spot, and pay attention to fertilizing and watering.

From sowing to budding, it is relatively drought-tolerant and needs little water, only 1.9% of the total water requirement. Moderate drought is beneficial to root growth and enhances drought resistance. From budding to flowering is the peak water demand period, with water requirement accounting for about 43% of the total. Water shortage during this period has a great impact on yield. From flowering to maturity, the water requirement is also relatively high, about 38% of the total. If water is insufficient, it not only affects yield but also reduces oil content.

3. When growing sunflowers on a balcony, the main problem is pollination. Artificial pollination can be used, and only one cotton swab is needed. Only with sufficient pollination can more sunflower seeds be produced.

The editor thinks that sunflowers are still very easy to grow, mainly because you can both enjoy the flowers and eat the sunflower seeds you grew yourself.