Plant Gardens 101

Have you ever wondered if what you understand Sunflowers And Your Garden is accurate? Consider the next paragraphs and associate what you know to the latest data on Sunflowers And Your Garden.

Sunflowers indeed stars of the gardening world. It is hard to neglect the beauty of sunflowers place tall, each on their own or stitching a bed of more traditional plants. Few who have seen these stunning beauties can deny their stunning beauty and attractiveness.

The family of sunflowers, known scientifically as group Helianthus, includes both yearly and perennial varieties of sunflowers. As their name implies, sunflowers normally wish thorough sunlight, so it is important for gardeners to take the sunniest part of their plot when planting these stunning plants.

It is also important to take the adult dimension of these plants into account when planting them, and to plot them accordingly. Most varieties of sunflowers are wholly large, so it is important to cosmos them normally so they will not crowd one another out and compete for nutrients. (more…)

It started out like so many of my trips to the local nursery. My shoes were not exactly clean then again neither were my jeans. They were covered in a mixture of potting soil, honest to goodness all natural flower bed dirt and cow manure.

Call me old school but I still swear by the stuff and think the only thing better invented kind of by nature for flower beds was the composted mushroom soil I was able to get back east. It was the soil used inside of giant caves to grow mushrooms in man made containers and it worked miracles.

Anyhow so after puttering around outside, playing on the lawn and obsessing how to best mow a diamond pattern into it. An obsession I still don’t quite have nailed but my friend Dee’s husband John turns his little yard in Westchester into patterns and textures that the Yankees would covet. (more…)

Deep inside we all love Sunflowers, they are so amazing and so full of life, that having sunflowers in your garden, it is a bleesing.

Sunflowers are usually planted in early May, similar to corn, and usually bloom in late July.

They require approximately 100-120 days to mature. Sunflowers originated in theAmericas in 1000B.C., where for centuries they were cultivated as a valuable food source. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies. Sunflowers also produce latex and are the subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for producing hypoallergenic rubber .

Sunflowers have a low to medium tolerance of saline conditions, and therefore soils with high levels of salinity should be avoided. Sunflowers are sensitive to herbicide residues such as Lontrel and Pursuit. Sunflowers represent light instead of darkness, transparency instead of secrecy, security instead of threat, and joy instead of fear. (more…)

The botanical name for Mexican sunflower.

The sunflower is often portrayed as a smiling, happy flower in modern times and with all of its benefits, this analogy is completely accurate. The sunflower has been used worldwide for a variety of reasons and its contribution to mankind’s wellbeing is often understated. It has an interesting history that can only add to its current popularity.

The history of the sunflower begins in the Americas, the land to which it is indigenous. The native Indian cultures revered the sunflower – the Incan sunflower was used as a symbol for their sun god and Olmec (Ancient Mexicans) sunflower rituals and temple sculptures are well documented, but perhaps the greatest use of the sunflower was by the Native American Indians.

Archeological evidence has shown that the Native Americans considered the sunflower a special crop and used it abundantly – as far back as 2300BC. The Native Americans formed very close bonds with the earth and all of the abundances arising from it – and the sunflower was considered among the most important of the crops. Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hiditsa Tribe member born in 1839, tells of the importance of the sunflower and described many rituals based around the plant. She also states that the Native Americans believed singing to the sunflower would help it grow. (more…)

There’s more to harvesting and drying sunflowers than many professional growers realize. How soon you decide to harvest them will depend largely on energy costs, temperatures, and whether you prefer them to dry naturally. Ideally, your sunflowers won’t be exposed to insects and diseases, and the temperature will be warm enough to allow them to dry on the stem. However, those circumstances are rare. In reality, most crops will be vulnerable to some level of pests and diseases. And depending upon where you live, the temperature can cause your sunflowers to freeze.

In this article, I’ll explain some of the benefits of harvesting your sunflowers early. I’ll also describe how they’re dried and why the moisture in the air can affect your crops.

Benefits Of Harvesting Early

With energy expenses escalating, you might think that allowing your sunflowers to dry naturally is a good idea. But, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider harvesting them early. First, if the temperature is close to freezing during the evenings, your sunflower crops are not actually drying. The moisture is being sealed inside. But, even if you’re not growing your sunflowers in freezing temperatures, there are still many advantages to an early harvest. (more…)

Everyone knows intuitively what a “normal” sunflower looks like. Tall and bright, they take on an almost majestic appearance by the time they’ve grown to full height. Mexican sunflowers are striking in the way they look, but many passersby would be surprised to discover that the plants are actually part of the sunflower line. They look different, they’re shorter, but they look no less regal than their taller brethren.

In this article, we’ll explore growing Mexican sunflowers (it’s scientific name is Tithonia rotundifolia). I’ll describe some of the traits that are exclusive to the breed as well as how to plant and care for them to encourage the best crop.

Their Appearance

They typically grow to a full height of only 5 feet. Some varieties have been known to reach 8 feet while others only reach 2 or 3. In most cases, the plant is relatively short when compared to a regular sunflower at twice the height. One of the reasons why people don’t realize that they’re part of the same breed is because they look completely different. Tithonia have heads that are only a few inches in diameter and they boast a deep orange-red color. Through cross-breeding, some varieties have been grown with yellow heads, though most growers prefer the distinctly sharp orange or vibrant red. (more…)

Sunflowers have always been the target of disease. Even though some of them are most dominant in certain locations in the U.S., others manifest wherever the crop is grown. For example, head rot is prevalent throughout California, but downy mildew can be found on crops harvested across the entire country. Over the past few decades, more than 30 diseases have been found on crops (though most of them either won’t cause severe damage or can be controlled easily). Below, we’ll explore a few of the most important diseases and the type of damage they usually cause.

Rust

Rust is a constant thorn in the side of commercial growers because it evolves, making it difficult (though, not impossible) to cultivate resistant hybrids. It’s caused by a fungus called Puccinia helianthi and shows up on sunflower planted throughout the U.S. In mild cases, you’ll notice auburn-colored spots showing up on the leaves and stems. When an infestation has occurred, rust can show up on the backs of the heads. (more…)

Even though sunflowers have been cultivated for hundreds of years, professional growers are still discovering new methods for increasing output and improving the overall quality of the crop. Plus, as new uses for the byproducts of sunflowers (seeds, oil, etc.) are developed, the crop acreage has increased. Today, nearly 3 million acres are cultivated annually in the U.S. alone.

Below, I’ll describe how to plant sunflowers to ensure your crop, large or small, maintains its quality. I’ll also provide a few tips for fertilizing and protecting your crop while it grows.

Planting Your Sunflowers

Sunflower crops can usually be planted as early as April, though many farmers wait for May when the weather is warmer. The higher temperatures allows for quicker drying and an earlier harvest. When you’re planting sunflowers, keep in mind that the crop output (in seeds) is often inversely correlated to seed rate (or, plants per acre). In other words, sunflower heads tend to produce larger quantities of seeds when the crop is thin. As a rule of thumb, plan to have approximately 20,000 seeds per acre. Also, the wider the rows, the more easily you can manage the weeds. (more…)

Your drying strategy will depend on whether you’re growing sunflowers for crop yield or in a personal garden. Today, we’ll focus on a large harvest. The time required to dry the crop is going to be influenced by the moisture content, temperature of the drying room, and the humidity to which your harvest is exposed. Variances in any of these factors will change the dry rate. For example, raising the temperature a few degrees will cause the moisture level of your sunflowers to decline, thereby shortening the time needed to dry them. Below, I’ll provide a few helpful tips that you can use when drying your next crop.

#1 – Use A Moisture Meter

You’ll need to invest in a reliable moisture meter. If you’re a hobby grower, you won’t need one. But, assuming you’re harvesting a large crop, a meter is essential for measuring the level of moisture contained in the seeds. It’s only by taking this measurement that you’ll be able to accurately judge the approximate drying period. If you’re already an experienced grower, you’ll probably already own one. If not, plan on spending $200 or more.

#2 – Don’t Overcompensate

If you grow other crops that need to be dried (for example, corn and grain varieties), take care not to over-dry your sunflowers. Compared with a lot of other crops, lower quantities of moisture need to be removed from them. At any given temperature, it’s easy to overdo it. If you’ve harvested your crop early to prevent bird and disease damage, they’re going to have a higher moisture content and require more time to dry. Even so, keep a close eye on the dryer and take several moisture measurements with the meter. (more…)

Sunflower seed are widely regarded as one of nature’s most potent all-in-one sources for a variety of nutrients that the body needs and is used for a wide range of health purposes with heart disease and strengthening the immune system topping the list. Is sunflower seed oil any different?

The answer is, thankfully, no! Sunflower oil retains many of the health benefits of sunflower seeds despite the pressing needed to withdraw the oil from the kernel. Sunflower oil is extremely healthy and is perfect for kitchen use due to its clean (neutral) taste (as opposed to olive oils, which has an over empowering taste that does not sit well with all dishes) and high smoke point.

There are generally two types of sunflower oil – those with a high percentage of linoleic acid and those with a high percentage oleic acid. These differ in the amount of unsaturated fats that they contain. According to the Sunflower Society, linoleic has 11% saturated fats (the bad trans fats) whereas the premium high oleic sunflower oil has just 9%. (more…)

The manner in which you store your sunflowers can play an important role in the preservation of your seeds (as well as the ease with which they’re unloaded). For example, if there is excess moisture during storage, it’s possible for the moisture to freeze the seeds, causing breakage. This happens often when they’re harvested early and stored without proper drying. Harvesting them early can help limit the potential for bird damage and shattering, but the seeds must be dried before storage. In this article, I’ll provide a few tips for storing your sunflowers properly to prevent them from being damaged.

Tip #1: Measure Moisture Accurately

Because storing your seeds when they contain too much moisture can cause problems, you’ll need to use a moisture meter. However, if your seeds are less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the meter will not be able to measure the moisture accurately. So, put the sample you’re using for measuring into a container and allow them to reach room temperature. Then, measure the moisture.

Tip #2: Use Aeration

The larger the storage facility, the more important aeration is. In the past, most professional growers relied upon aeration fans to keep the stored sunflower seeds cool. Today, larger facilities are being used for storage due to increased crop acreage. As a result, many growers have switched from using fans to ducts mounted into the floors.

The temperature at which the sunflower seeds are stored should remain between 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that aeration systems are not meant to dry the seeds (that’s the role of a high-temperature dryer). (more…)

The sunflower is one of – of not the most – loved flowers on earth. It doesn’t have the grace of a lily, or the romance of a rose – but the sheer cheerfulness will instantly brighten up your day.

Many people, when thinking of a sunflower, will picture it in full bloom with a bright yellow colour and staring pointedly into the sun. The truth is far different. Nature is never one dimensional and the sunflower has many hues – with many people saying that sunflowers are the golden touch of Mother Nature.

In fact, just how many differing types of sunflowers are there? Well, that would all depend on what you are looking at. The wild sunflower has approximately 67 different species (and various subspecies), all of which can be found in the United States. Forty of these are found along the east of the Rocky Mountains, with the remainder scattered throughout the country.

The sunflower falls into the Helianthus (Helios – sun, Anthos – flower) L. genus family of flowers and its own name is the Helianthus Annus (or in lay terms – Mirasol Sunflower). It is believed that the sunflower as we know it was first cultivated around 1000 BC, though it was considered an important food since at least 2300 BC. (more…)

Sunflowers have been cultivated and harvested by many cultures for at least 4,500 years. They’ve been used for a variety of purposes that range from culinary to medicinal. While most people can immediately envision a crop of sunflowers, few realize the important role they’ve played in history. In this article, we’ll provide a brief overview of sunflowers in an historical context. We’ll explain their origin and describe how they’ve been used for generations. You’ll also learn how the sunflower was discovered by those who traveled from other countries.

The Origin Of The Sunflower

The sunflower is considered native to the United States. Many enthusiasts claim that it was first cultivated by Native Americans over 8,000 years ago (though others contend that the plant wasn’t cultivated until 2,600 BC). As early as 2,000 BC, sunflowers were being grown using methods that encouraged bigger seeds and a more bountiful crop. It had already become a major staple in the diet of Native Americans by the time European explorers first visited America. (more…)

It’s easy to imagine a garden that is full of tall, brightly-colored sunflowers. They’re easy to grow, simple to maintain and can add a dazzling splash of color to any landscape. However, though sunflowers are easy to grow and maintain, there are several potential pitfalls. Small critters can steal the seeds before they have a chance to sprout. High winds can decimate a sunflower garden if stakes aren’t used for structural support. Wild birds can swoop down to pillage the seeds before they can be stolen by other animals.

By taking a few preventative measures, you can help ensure that your sunflowers grow to be a vibrant, stunning component of your garden. Below, we’ll explain how to grow sunflowers and provide a few useful tips for cultivating a gorgeous end-of-summer garden. (more…)

Fall marks harvest time, cooler weather, and the close of summer, but for many it is also the beginning. This is a great time to take advantage of this new beginning as a teacher when you actually have time to plant some seeds and let them grow, unlike the traditional springtime plantings that we leave to wilt come summer. It is easy to do, and easy for kids to get excited about. All you need is a sunny window (or a plant light) and a little room for a big pot, One teacher I knew used a kiddie pool to grow sunflowers in. (she had a large room)

• Start off with a brown paper bag with some sunflower seeds in it. Bring it to class and see if the kids can guess what is in it. Shake it a little, give a clue, let them feel inside, lastly you can show them, but keep it suspenseful! (more…)

Imagine the next time you adhere a discussion about butterfly patch. When you depart allotment the fascinating butterfly backyard certainty below, your contacts will be absolutely amazed.

What is butterfly farming? Simply put butterfly farming is the art of rising flora and plants that will invite these bright and magnificent creatures to our own gardens. A suitably planned butterfly backyard offers great joy to visitors of the plot by attracting these lovely flitting creatures for our amusement and delight. It also ensures a cautious haunt for the butterflies.

Deciding leading how to target your butterfly patch is just a count of personal preference on your part. In reality, butterflies modestly do not nurture about the manner of your plot, only the plants that magnetize them. Typical points to believe for choosing your butterfly farming diagram are the volume of your backyard and the types of flora and plants you want to grow. Pick grandeur of patch that appeals to you and guarantee it contains the plants and flora that plea to the butterflies you fancy to charm. (more…)