Sunflowers are annual plants. Sunflowers are sun worshipers that grow best in spots that get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. So sunflowers are very easy to grow because they are heat tolerant, pest resistant, and fast growing. Sunflowers have a large flowers.
It is the oil seed crop of the country. Sunflower oil is most popular because it’s good for heart patients. Sunflower seed contains about 48– 53 % edible oil.
| Botanical Name | sunflower, wild sunflower |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Helianthus |
| Species | Annuus |
| Types | Autumn Beauty, Chocolate, Goldy Honey Bear, Italian White, Mammoth Grey Stripe, Mongolian Giant , Super Snack, Sunspot, Teddy Bear , Topolino, Lemon Queen, ProCut Bicolor, Taiyo, Tall Teddy , Velvet Queen |
| Flowers | Flower Color: Brown/Copper Gold/Yellow Orange Flower Flower Size: 3-6 inches Inflorescence: Head Flower Value To Gardener: Edible, Good Cut, Showy Flower Bloom Time: Fall Summer Shape: Radial Flower Petals: 7 – 20 petals/rays Flow |
| Fruits | Fruit Color: Black, Brown/Copper Fruit Value To Gardener: Edible Display/Harvest Time: Fall Fruit Type: Achene Fruit Width: < 1 inch Fruit Length: < 1 inch |
| Leaves | Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Leaf Color: GreenLeaf Feel: Rough Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Shape: Lanceolate Leaf Margin: Dentate Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Width: 3-6 inches Leaf Length: > 6 inches |
| Collect Seeds | 3 months after sowing |
| Harvest | Â Complete harvesting of crop when all leaves are dry and back of head turns lemon yellow color. Do not delay in harvesting as it leads to lodging of crop also chances of termite attacked increases. |
| Soil Texture | Sandy |
| Soil Drainage | |
| Soil Chemistry | Ideal pH is around 6.5-8 |
| Germination | 7 to 10 days |
| Bloom | 8-12 weeks |
| Temperature | 20°C - 25°C |
| Light | Full Sun |
✓ Reduces Depression
✓ Reduces Anxiety
✓ Improves Heart Health
✓ Improves Skin Health
✓ Improves Digestion
✓ Helps Aid in Weight Loss
✓ Prevents Asthma
✓ Prevents Cancer
✓ Improves Immune System
✓ Improves Digestion
