How to plant potted sunflowers
For netizens to explain how to plant potted sunflowers and share the skills of growing sunflowers to bloom in full bloom, let's take a look together.
Recently, Xiaomei has posted information about sunflowers on micro headlines, and many flower friends have been asking how to grow sunflowers to bloom in full bloom.
Indeed, sunflowers, especially double-layered ones, look very beautiful when photographed individually, such as the popular varieties in recent years, "Orange Hibiscus" and "Pink Hibiscus".
Sunflower, Orange Hibiscus
However, if potted or planted in the ground, it is still difficult to achieve a spectacular effect if the flowers do not bloom simultaneously.
Grow sunflowers by starting with the following 7 steps, and you will also be able to grow a sunflower bouquet in a short time.
Sunflower, Rainbow
Step 1. Soak branches
Sunflowers can be grown from seeds or propagated from cuttings, both of which can yield satisfactory results in the same year.
However, it is recommended to sow seeds in April or the first ten days of May, and cuttings can be done in April, May, and June. Today is June 3rd, and if you plant sunflowers by seed in June, it will be a bit late.
After receiving the branches, you can first soak them in water for a few hours to allow the branches to absorb enough water before planting, which is easier to survive.
Sunflower branches soaked in water
Step 2. Cutting length
Branches usually sent by merchants are about 10 centimeters long and can be planted directly or cut into two parts before planting. I suggest cutting them shorter before planting, which makes it easier to bloom in full.
Long branches for cutting
Like the picture above, the branches are too long, and it is very difficult to achieve the effect of a full bloom and flower ball.
It is recommended to cut the branches shorter, either into two or three parts, and plant them densely and evenly in the pot to make them grow more lush and form a flower ball.
Pay attention to the top and bottom of the branches, don't reverse them. When pruning, be careful to insert only the bottom part into the soil, as the opposite will not grow roots.
Step 3. Using soil
Use slightly loose soil, don't think that because sunflowers have strong vitality you can use any soil. Sunflowers grow better in slightly loose and nutritious soil, after all, few plants will reject good soil.
Also, I want to tell everyone that we can use clay or garden soil to plant sunflowers since it's free. However, it's necessary to mix river sand or other nutritious soil, vermiculite, or perlite with garden soil to improve its tendency to compact.
Also, if you use original soil, it's easy for weeds to grow in the pot. When weeds appear, you should pull them out diligently, otherwise, they will compete with sunflowers for nutrients and sunlight.
Step 4. Sunflower care
Sunflowers are called sunflowers because they love the sun more than other flowers (such as roses), and they are more resistant to sun exposure.
Of course, in the first few days after planting, don't rush to expose them to the sun, as the branches can easily wither without roots.
Once the branches have grown roots, expose them to the sun as much as possible. The more sun they get, the better they grow and the more flowers they produce. More sun exposure is more effective than applying any flower-boosting fertilizer.
How to plant potted sunflowers
Step 5. Don't lack water
Although sunflowers belong to the Portulaca family and are very resistant to sun and drought, don't let them lack water. With sufficient water, their branches can grow stronger and bloom more vigorously.
In summer, with high temperatures and intense sun, water evaporates quickly. In sunny days, water them twice a day, morning and evening.
Step 6. Prune more
In the early growth stage of sunflower seedlings, before forming flower buds, it is necessary to prune them to promote branching. The more branches, the greater the chance of flowering.
Don't think of pruning as a difficult technique. It's just pinching the tips and topping, as shown in the picture below. When there are particularly long branches, pinch off the tips.
Keep all branches at a similar length, and the flowers will be more uniform later.
Step 7. Fertilize frequently with thin fertilizer
Sunflowers need nutrients to grow and bloom, especially when they have to grow into a large pot and bloom into small flowers like peonies in such a short time.
Every three days or so, add some soluble fast-acting fertilizer to the water, such as using Huaduo No. 1 or Biwang during the seedling stage, and using monopotassium phosphate or Biokaihua during the bud and flowering stage.
In conclusion, sunflowers are best grown in sunny areas. If there is no sunlight or only indoor conditions on the balcony, it is not recommended to grow sunflowers.
The above green plant enthusiasts website [www.lvzhimi.com] introduces how to plant potted sunflowers and shares the skills of growing sunflowers to bloom in full bloom. I hope it can bring you help in life!