How to grow a decorative sunflower from seeds?

Growing a decorative sunflower on the site will help decorate almost any well-lit corner of the garden. This species, belonging to the Astrovye family, has more than 150 different varieties, differing in color, bud size, and stem length. In Europe, the first sunflower seeds appeared thanks to Columbus's expedition to Mexico. This plant was admired not only by amateur gardeners, but also by many artists and poets, after which it received the name - Helianthus, or "sun flower". The sunflower was brought to the territory of Russia by Peter I. On his order, the culture became widespread and began to be used in agriculture. Decorative sunflowers appeared only many years later.

Varieties of decorative sunflowers

Helianthuses have spread throughout the globe: they can be found in North and South America, in European countries and on the African continent. In Austria, there is even a “Sunflower Park”, where you can find various wild varieties and hybrids of this plant. Sunflowers can grow both in a pot on a windowsill and in a garden. They make magnificent summer bouquets and floristic compositions.

Currently, the species is divided into 2 subspecies:

• agricultural,
• decorative.

Some decorative varieties are difficult to correlate with their progenitor, they look so unusual. Coloring can be not only yellow, but also white, beige, brown, reddish. Double and non-double flowers are found in shape, their petals can be twisted, wavy, oblong. The diameter of the inflorescence reaches 30 cm.

Plants differ in stem height. Conventionally, sunflowers can be divided into several groups according to this feature:

1. krupnomers reaching a height of 3 meters;
2. compacts - the height of the stem reaches 60 cm;
3. medium-sized, 1-1.5 meters high.

The most famous varieties in Russia are:

• The teddy bear is one of the best medium-sized varieties, blooms with large double orange flowers;
• Vanilla Ice is a variety with non-double, light beige flowers;
• Big Smile - compact (maximum 30 cm) with lemon petals and black center;
• Sunspot is a miniature plant with huge inflorescences up to 25 cm in diameter.

Planting and leaving

Growing a decorative sunflower begins with choosing a suitable place: it must necessarily be sunny and with fertile soil, then caring for the flower will be easier and you do not need to regularly feed. It is advisable to choose an area protected from drafts so that sudden gusts of wind do not break the fragile stem. On the territory of central Russia, mainly annual ornamental sunflowers from seeds are grown.

The seed must be prepared in advance for planting: dissolve wood ash in 0.5 liters of warm water, soak a small piece of cloth with the solution and wrap the seeds in it for a day. Seeds are planted in May, they are planted to a depth of no more than 3 cm. For compact varieties, the distance between plants should be about 40 cm, large varieties are planted 70 cm apart. The first shoots appear within 7 days after sowing. Young plants bloom in mid-summer, new buds continue to open until the end of September.

Advice

To prolong the flowering of the sunflower, you can plant the plants 2 weeks apart throughout the summer.

Caring for a sunny flower does not cause any particular problems - these plants are unpretentious. Watering is necessary as the top layer of the soil dries up, avoiding stagnant moisture, about 1 time in 7 days.It is advisable to loosen the soil around the sunflower and remove weeds. After flowering, wilted inflorescences are removed without waiting for the seeds to accelerate the formation of new buds. It is possible to plant and grow several plants in one container, then the blooming helianthuses will look like a living bouquet. To remove the dried stem, the flower is cut at the root, but not dug up - this can damage other plants.

Growing at home

It is possible to grow compact varieties of decorative sunflower on a windowsill in an ordinary apartment. The process is so simple that it can be entrusted to a child. Having chosen the variety you like, you need to purchase an ordinary flower pot with a diameter of up to 40 cm - this size is usually enough for a miniature plant. But if the variety is large or it is planned to plant several plants in one container, it is better to take a larger container, otherwise the flowers will be cramped and they will have to be transplanted. For medium-sized varieties, it is better to take a large balcony box with a volume of 18 liters or more.

Planting is carried out in a disinfected nutrient soil, a drainage from expanded clay or pebbles is placed on the bottom of the pot. After planting, the soil is moistened. You can add special additives to it - aqua soil, which will retain moisture and prevent the root system from drying out, mineral fertilizers or rotted compost. Ornamental sunflower seeds are planted in pairs, deepening by 2.5 cm.After the emergence of seedlings, the seedlings are watered every 2 days. Growing a sunflower in the open field takes place in well-lit areas, therefore you need to place a flower pot on a very light windowsill.

Proper care of a plant is the key to its health and a strong immune system. Helianthuses can be attacked by pests - moths, barbel and thorns. At the first sign of insects, plants should be treated immediately with insecticides. Bacterial diseases such as brown spot, powdery mildew and rust are also dangerous. The causes of their occurrence can be pests, excessive moisture in the soil or air. The affected areas must be removed, and the stem and leaves must be treated with fungicides.

Output

The decorative sunflower is unpretentious, its planting, growing from seeds and care does not cause difficulties for amateur gardeners. There are many beautiful varieties that differ from each other in the size and color of the inflorescences, the height of the stem. Large varieties can reach 3 meters in height, while compact varieties can be grown as indoor. Sunflowers love a bright location, regular watering and fertile soil.

You can sow seeds immediately to a permanent place, shoots usually appear within a week. At first, the seedlings need regular watering, the subcortex is applied only on poor soils. Sunflowers bloom in the middle of summer and continue to delight with new buds until September. At home, pots with plants are placed on a light windowsill and watered regularly. Helianthuses can be damaged by pests and hurt. At the first signs of illness or when insects appear, flowers are treated with special preparations.