Skip navigation.

Care for Summer Evening sunflower

Last post 11-11-2009 7:56 PM by prr. 5 replies.

Page 1 of 1 (6 items)

  • 05/11/2009 05:29 PM
    • prr
    • 06 Jul 2009
    • 5
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    My 5yo daughter just came home from school with one of these in a cup. It is now about twice as big as the cup, and I'd like to pot it. My questions: 1. Does it have to be in the ground, or can it be in a pot? 2. What type of potting soil would be best--potting, garden, or....? We live in the desert region of southern California (USA). 3. what type of watering care? 4. Any other advice? I'd like this to live as long as possible; I just read that it is an annual, which doesn't leave much time, does it?

    Paul
  • 07/11/2009 12:37 PM
    In reply to
    Top 150 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Hi Paul,

    I hope this is of some help:

    1. Does it have to be in the ground, or can it be in a pot?

    It will be fine in a pot. Put in a pot large enough to allow the sunflower to grow to full size. You'll need a strong cane to support it as it gains height.


    2. What type of potting soil would be best--potting, garden, or....? We live in the desert region of southern California (USA).

    Sunflowers are tolerant to lots of soil types. A well-draining garden compost should be fine.

    3. what type of watering care?

    During summer I'd suggest giving it a good watering 3 times a week. If you live in very hot/dry area, then possibly water daily. Generally try keep the soil a little bit moist.


    4. Any other advice? I'd like this to live as long as possible; I just read that it is an annual, which doesn't leave much time, does it?

    I'm not sure how a young sunflower will deal with your winter climate. If it is mild and sunny I suppose it may be fine. If it is gets very cold and days are too short with not much sunshine, it might be best to try again in the Spring.

    I've dried out the flowerheads of my ones this year and saved some seeds for growing next year. You can tie the dried flowerheads to trees to attract birds. Of course, you can also eat the seeds.

    Good luck
    Fin
  • 10/11/2009 06:17 AM
    In reply to
    • prr
    • 06 Jul 2009
    • 5
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    Thanks, Fin. I'll put it in a pot then, and I have a few large pots. I'll be sure to insert a stick at some point as well. Well in winter overnight, temperatures can fall below freezing only occasionally, but with it so late in the year, I'll try to keep it alive as long as possible inside the house. Thanks for the care tips.

    Paul
  • 10/11/2009 08:14 AM
    In reply to
    • Obelix
    • Belgium
    • 24 Nov 2004
    • 378
    Top 25 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Assuming your plant is a form of helianthus annuus, it is an annual which may grow as tall as 1.5 metres and produce branching, flowering stems which will make excellent cut flowers or can be left to go to seed and feed the local birds.

    These plants are normally sown in spring to porduce flowers over the summer but, if you are sure of being frost free, I would plant it outside in a sunny spot enriched with good quality garden compost and keep it watered until it gets established and afterwards water it the minute it shows signs of droopy leaves.

    Obelix - Belgium
  • 10/11/2009 10:48 PM
    In reply to
    • prr
    • 06 Jul 2009
    • 5
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    We do get frost, though. Occasionally at night it drops below freezing. I think I'll keep it indoors.

    Paul
  • 11/11/2009 07:56 PM
    In reply to
    • prr
    • 06 Jul 2009
    • 5
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    One more thing--the stem was getting long, and it started to droop, so I tied it loosely to a stick--its about 12 inches tall. Is this a good idea? or will this be crippling the natural development and growth?

    Paul