Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are iconic annual plants known for their tall, bright blooms that track the sun's movement throughout the day. They typically grow between 5 to 10 feet tall, although some varieties can reach even greater heights. Sunflowers have large, round flower heads with yellow, orange, or red petals surrounding a central disk filled with seeds. The seeds are edible and highly nutritious, often used in cooking or as a snack. Sunflowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil and are easy to grow, making them a popular choice for gardens, borders, and cut flower arrangements. They also attract pollinators like bees and birds to the garden.
How to sow the seeds..
40% soil
40% dry cow dung
20% vermicompost
(50% soil and 50% cow dung if vermicompost is not available)
Add these and mix well and remove all the stones and lumps from it.. After filling three quarters of the pan with soil, pour water and keep it wet for 10 minutes..
Leave the seeds in the sun for 10 minutes and then put them on top of the water soaked soil..then spread a small layer of compost and soil mix on top of it (a very small layer).
No water is required for the first three days. After that spray water twice a day. Keep these pots in a place that does not get direct sunlight.. After the seeds germinate and get 4-5 leaves, healthy seedlings can be transplanted to other pots.
The seeds take 14 - 21 days to germinate
Manure and compost are recommended as fertilizers.
