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Sunflowers are such cheery flowers. They literally bring sunshine on a gloomy day.
Maybe it’s their bright yellow hue or their pretty petals,sunflowers just infect you with positivity.
Sunflowers make the perfect gift for a sweetheart or loved one. Discover how to keep sunflowers alive and fresh for longer!
The popular domesticated sunflower that many people are familiar with is the tall, strong variety,some of which can grow up to 14 feet tall.
However, sunflowers exist in many forms. Some sunflowers have oversized yellow petals, while others are smaller in size.
Although the bright golden sunflowers are popular, you may also find traces of red and orange on the buds.
How To Keep Sunflowers Alive
These are 6 green thumb tips to keep sunflowers alive:
1.Sun! Sun!! Sun!!!
2.Be generous with compost
3.Fertilizer won’t hurt
4.Water
5.Provide support
6.And more water
1.Sun! Sun!! Sun!!!
It’s little wonder sunflowers are so named. These flowers just need to soak in the sun.
It is very important that sunflowers receive no less than six hours of direct sun daily. The more sunlight they get,the better they bloom.
If your sunflower is grown indoors or potted,provide its day-to-day sun needs by placing it near the window or out in the garden.
This is a surefire way to keep sunflowers alive.
2.Be generous with compost
Compost supplies nutrients your sunflower need to thrive. Be generous with it.
Another benefit compost gives is moisture retention,so your sunflower seedlings are never thirsty.
Before planting sunflowers,mix enough compost with the earth or spread an inch or two over the surface.
For sunflowers in containers,soil should be three times the quantity of compost and mixed in efficiently.
3. Fertilizer won’t hurt
Well fertilized soil is necessary to keep sunflower blooms healthy. Their nutrient requirements increase as they grow,therefore supplement compost with fertilizer.
To avoid over fertilizing,fertilizer should be applied once every four to six weeks.
The best combination of fertilizer for sunflowers is the 15-5-5,high in magnesium and calcium.
However, avoid water-based fertilizers.
Read Also:
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- How to Identify and Control Fungus Gnats on Houseplants
- How to Grow and Care for Sundew Plants
4.Water
Ideally,sunflowers should be watered two to three times every week. Those planted in pots need slightly more water.
Sunflower roots go deep to search for water. While watering,aim for the base of the plant so that the stream gets as close as possible
Aiming at the head or stem can break the flower.
As much as sunflowers need sun,they also require water to survive.
5.Provide support
As sunflowers grow taller,it’s only natural that they begin to droop from weight.
Avoid them breaking by providing support in the form of stakes. Metal or wooden sticks will do just fine.
Tie the stems to the staking material with soft fabric or rope.
Staking should be done as soon as the sunflower plant reaches 3 feet in height.
6. And more water
Watering frequency should increase as soon as the sunflowers begin to bloom,which is about 15 days after they open.
From two to three times weekly,start to water five to seven times
Make sure the soil your flower is planted in doesn’t stay dry.
How do I keep my sunflowers from dying?
If you’ve just received beautiful sunflowers to mark your anniversary,I’m sure you would want them to last forever.
No need to fret,there are measures to take that will keep your sunflowers alive.
The process of ensuring they remain fresh for longer begins even before they are cut:
- When the ground they are growing in is dry, they will wither quickly. Watering thoroughly a few hours before cutting makes sure they absorb much-needed moisture.
2. Put freshly cut stems in water immediately. This will keep them hydrated and reduce the trauma of cutting.
3. When cutting stems,cut them at an angle. This way, there is more surface area of the stem available to soak up more water.
This helps because straight cut stems will rest flat on the bottom of a jar, blocking them from being able to draw up much water.
4. Now that they are in water,the water will need to be changed frequently. This keeps bacteria at bay and slows down decomposition.
5. If you have a few loose copper pennies around,drop them in the water. Copper does wonders for fresh flower stems.
6. Recut stems to give optimum sunflower bloom.
7. Last but not definitely not least,your sunflowers still need plenty of sun. Place the vase on a windowsill for a few hours every day.
Following these instructions will keep your sunflowers alive and fresh for an extended period of time.
How long do sunflowers last once cut?
For sunflowers to last longer,cut them in the morning before the sun becomes too hot. It’s advisable to go with a bucket of water to put them in as soon as possible.
Sunflowers begin to wilt when they don’t get enough water.Picking them when the ground is dry will produce the same result, even if they are not wilted before picking.
Sunflowers should last between 5 to 12 days after cutting. This depends on the variety and the care given to them.
How long do potted sunflowers last?
Sunflower lovers who don’t have enough gardening space to plant sunflowers can plant them in pots. The dwarf breed(under 4 feet) is easier to tend in pots but it’s still possible to grow tall ones.
Generally speaking,sunflowers bloom for 8 to 12 weeks.
Potted sunflowers should get plenty of sun. Therefore,where they are placed really matters in the scheme of things.
They add a beautiful touch to the balcony so it’s a win-win.
For maximum development,choose good quality general purpose soil and make sure it drains well. To ensure drainage,mix the soil with vermiculite,gravel or polystyrene foam.
You may opt for a pot with holes in the bottom to encourage drainage.
The water needs of potted sunflowers should be closely monitored because the soil they are in dries out more easily.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure they receive an inch of water every week. If the leaves begin to look droopy,it means you are overwatering.
To Conclude,
Sunflowers are one of the most resilient species of flowers. They love sun, appreciate water and are unyielding to many diseases of plants.
Often used as a symbol of happiness and congratulations, this bloom is a real bringer of joy.
Take these steps that show how to keep sunflowers alive,and enjoy your plants all summer long!
