Native to the Americas, Helianthus annuus, or the common sunflower, is one of the most recognizable flowers in the world. Once revered by the Incas as a symbol of the Sun God, these towering beauties are bright and cheerful, the perfect symbol of summer. Planting a row of sunflowers along a fence or as a group in a corner garden will certainly add a dose of happiness to your outdoor spaces. And sunflowers are not only pretty, there are plenty of practical uses for this lovely variety, too.
Sunflower overview.
Usually growing to a height of 12 inches, the classic sunflower has yellow petals with a dark brown center. What we often think of as the “flower head” of the sunflower are actually little flowers: the true flowers are found in the center of the head (called disk flowers) that develop into seeds.
Look closely at the epicenter of a sunflower and you will see a hypnotic pattern of spirals in the Fibonacci sequence: 34 spirals in one direction and 54 in the other. This arrangement is the most efficient way to pack as many seeds as mathematically possible into the flower disk.
From the “American Giant”, which grows 42cm tall with a 3cm flower, to the miniature “Dwarf Sunspot” that reaches a height of just 6cm, there are dozens of sunflower cultivars to choose from. , suitable for large and small gardens.
Although many sunflowers have showy yellow petals, the crimson furred “Prado Red” and the pink with yellow tips “Strawberry Blonde” are a couple of examples of the more unusual varieties.
How to grow sunflowers?
Hardy and not demanding, sunflowers are very easy to grow. They are tolerant of high temperatures and drought, and are remarkably resistant to insects and diseases.
Sunflowers will attract bees and birds to your garden, but also deer, squirrels, rabbits, and other woodland critters, so special care must be taken to ensure their flowers and seeds remain intact.
Light Requirements : Not surprisingly, sunflowers love the sun. When planting, select a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
Soil: Sunflower plant roots need plenty of room to grow and will thrive in loose, well-drained soil. Prepare the garden bed by digging 6 cm and 9 cm wide per plant. Sunflowers prefer a soil pH of 6 to 7.5.
Watering: Since sunflowers can withstand dry spells, be careful not to over water them. Give them a generous watering once a week, more if it’s particularly dry and less if it’s rained. Since sunflower plant roots are expansive, water 3-4 inches from the base of the plant’s stem.
Fertilizer: When first sowing, use nutrient-rich compost or a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 5-10-10. Sunflowers shouldn’t need much more fertilizer as they mature; If you think they could use a booster, use a very diluted amount and apply 15 cm from the base of the plant.
Sowing Sunflowers: Sunflowers are best sown from seed directly into the ground after the last frost. For large varieties, sow in rows 75 cm apart; shorter cultivars can be sown closer together. Plant the seeds no more than 2.5 cm deep.
Supportive Measures: Tall sunflower varieties will benefit from bamboo stakes to keep them upright.
Pest Control: Prone to attacks from deer, rabbits, and squirrels, erect a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the sunflowers. To protect the seeds from birds and squirrels, wrap the flower heads in garden fleece.
The many uses of sunflower.
The whole plant, from root to flower, is eminently useful. Here are the most common ways to ensure nothing goes to waste in the fall:
1. Sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, copper, vitamin B1, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B3. It is a healthy snack.
Eating the seeds provides anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and detoxifying benefits; they also help lower cholesterol, calm nerves, and protect heart health.
Sunflower seeds mature between 30 and 45 days after flowering. The back of the flower heads will turn from green to brown, and the seeds will turn black or black with white stripes. This means that the seeds are ready for harvest.
Cut the flower on the stem 10 cm below the flower and remove the seeds with a fork. Dry the sunflower seeds very well and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer; they will keep for up to one year.
You can eat them raw or make some roasted sunflower seeds to snack on. And be sure to save some seeds to plant in the garden next spring.
2. Sunflower oil.
Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, sunflower oil is one of the healthiest fats for cooking. Use it to fry and make homemade salad dressing. Beyond food, sunflower oil is a wonderful tonic in your beauty regimen.
The high content of vitamin E in sunflower oil ensures that it is great for the skin. Helps fight free radicals, regenerate skin cells, accelerate healing, hydrate dry skin, and reduce the visibility of scars.
It is also deeply hydrating for the hair. As a natural conditioner, sunflower oil can help prevent hair breakage, reduce thinning, and treat alopecia.
If you already have an oil press, you are ready to turn sunflower seeds into nutrient-rich oil. If not, the sunflower oil production process is incredibly simple, but requires a bit of labor.
Use a relatively inexpensive hand grinder and pass the seeds through it, creating a kind of puree. Place the seed puree on a thin cloth and press, twist, and squeeze out every last drop of oil. Once the oil is extracted, let it sit for a few days; It will set to a golden yellow color.
If you raise chickens, you can use the leftover seed puree as a healthy treat.
3. Sunflower seed flour.
Sunflower seed flour is high in protein and various minerals and micronutrients such as thiamine, pantothenic acid, magnesium, zinc, and copper.
Vegan and gluten free, it is a good substitute for nut flours like almond flour. And because it is mild in flavor, it can be used in place of wheat flour in a host of baked goods, from bread and cookies to muffins and pancakes.
To make it, grind the sunflower seeds in a blender or food processor and pulse until it turns into a fine grain flour. Be careful not to mix too much as it can turn into butter.
Use a fine mesh strainer to filter out larger chunks. Store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
And just so you know, when sunflower seeds are combined with baking soda or baking powder, a chemical reaction occurs after heating the food, giving it a green hue.
While it’s perfectly safe to eat, you can avoid this problem by adding a pinch of cocoa powder to your recipe to hide any green undertones. Another option is to add 1 to 3 teaspoons of lemon juice to the wet ingredients in your recipe.
4. Sunflower seed butter.
A nut-free alternative to peanut butter, this butter is sweet and nutty with its own unique flavor.
Spread your sunflower seeds on a baking sheet and cook in the oven at 180° C (350 ° F) for 4 minutes. Mix and turn the seeds and return the tray to the oven for another 4 minutes.
Pour the seeds into a food processor, add a little sea salt, and mix until the seeds turn powdery. Continue processing for about 15 minutes, stopping every two minutes to scrape down the sides of the processor.
Add maple syrup or coconut sugar to sweeten; you can also use ghee to make it creamy. Keep mixing until it reaches a buttery consistency and add more salt or sweetener to taste.
5. Edible from root to petal.
Although sunflower seeds get all the glory, the whole sunflower plant (roots, stems, leaves, petals) is quite tasty.
The roots, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, can be roasted, fried, steamed, and pureed. Slice raw to add to a salad.
Sunflower stalks are similar to celery, mild in flavor with a satisfying crunch.
The leaves can be eaten raw by adding them to salads or boiled like spinach. You can also steep the leaves in hot water to make tea, traditionally used to treat fever, cough, and diarrhea.
The bright yellow sunflower petals are bittersweet and can be used to offset a really sweet dish. Sprinkle them on a fresh salad for a burst of color.
6. Natural dye.
Sunflower petals can be used to make a natural yellow tint. Simply mix your collection of petals in a stainless-steel pot and cover them completely with water.
Cook over low heat on the stove for about an hour, until the water is saturated with color. Strain the petals and use the dye on natural fibers like wool, cotton, linen, and silk.
7. Soap, lotion and candles.
Sunflower seed oil can also be incorporated into fun DIY projects. Try making some sunflower soap, sunflower moisturizing lotion, and sunflower oil candles. There are many recipes on the internet, look for the ones that seem best for your project.
