I love to grow sunflowers and they are an easy summer flower to grow. Sunflowers can be grown for the flowers and the seeds and because I followed my earlier planting schedule, I already have a garden full of the cheery sunflowers I love.
Growing Sunflowers: Tips and My Favorites For Growing and Cutting
This large variety of sunflower is Mammoth. We took a picture of my hubby's mammoth head next to it for comparison.
As the seed head dries it will turn brown. In about 45 days when the back of the sunflower is dried and you see the brown seed heads, the sunflower is ready for harvesting. I am growing sunflowers for chicken feed. The protein in the sunflowers is great for the chickens come fall when they begin to molt (loose their feathers) and grow new ones as feather growth requires lots of protein.
Best Sunflowers To Grow For Cutting:
If you like to pick sunflowers for bouquets, the best varieties are the multi-branched sunflowers. They will give you long straight stems perfect for cutting. One of my favorite red sunflowers for cutting is the red Velvet Queen. A deep red velvet color sunflower.I save sunflowers seeds from this variety to replant every year. Red and yellow are by far the most popular but there are many colors including orange. This is the best orange sunflower by far.
You can see how huge this sunflower grew and how many flowers were there for the picking.
Remember to water containers regularly as they dry out faster than the soil in the garden will.
Remember to check out my tips for making cut sunflower bouquets last longer.
Used to see these around, but not in a long time. Yours are very pretty and grown so tall.
ReplyDeleteI always mean to plant sunflowers. Yours are absolutely gorgeous - and aren't they so cheery! I think I'll go track down some seed. I've got 45 days. The photos are beautiful. I enjoyed them so much! Have a nice weekend, Elaine.
ReplyDeleteElaine... your garden is spectacular! You've done a wonderful job showcasing these sunflowers ...and the seeds for the chickens are a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get any in the ground this year, so many reasons why... I bet I could still plant and get some. I'm going to give it a shot...
You had me laughing at your hubby's MAMMOTH HEAD! LOL.... you crack me up!
I need to go read your tips on how to make cut sunflowers last longer. I love sunflower seeds and sunflower butter. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a funny story for you about sunflowers. When I was in first grade we were given sunflower seeds to take home and plant. After a certain amount of time, we were supposed to bring the flowers back to school and share them in the lunchroom. I can remember I took mine home and planted them close to the house by a downspout. I only had one grow, and I was so proud of that pitiful little flower. I took it to school, and everyone had beautiful sunflower bouquets, and I had this pitiful, tiny little sunflower about three inches in diameter. I was traumatized, I tell ya!
Have a great Saturday!
xo,
RJ
Your sunflowers are gorgeous! I have never had luck with them. I have horrible clay soil and drainage is a problem. I try a lot of different flowers, perennials and flowering bushes and have to see what can survive.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful! I've never seen sunflowers in any other color but yellow. Thanks for sharing, I might try to plant some here in sunny Fl:)
ReplyDelete