Guide to Growing a Sunflower

A sunflower is known for its bright yellow head and tall stem. Numerous flowers are crowded together within the center of the head and are called florets. The disc florets mature into what are traditionally known as "sunflower seeds." This annual plant is native to the Americas. This popular plant is known around the world for its features and tasty seeds, so grow you a sunflower today!

Typically sunflowers are known to have yellow ray florets, the outer section to the head, but other colors include maroon, orange, etc. The florets located in the center are where the sunflower seeds can be found. The seeds grow inside the circular head and are produced from disc florets. Sunflower seeds aren't actually seeds at all, but the fruit of the plant. The true seeds are encased in an inedible husk.

Another interesting fact is the sunflower head rotates from east to west. At sunrise, the faces of the sunflowers will turned towards the east. Over the course of the day, they will move tracking the sun from east to west. At night the sunflowers will return to an eastward orientation. This motion is possible by motor cells in the pulvinus, a flexible segment of the stem just below the bud. As the bud stage ends, the stem stiffens and the blooming stage is reached.

Once in the blooming stage sunflowers will not rotate toward the sun. The stem will freeze in place, usually facing east, and the leaves and stem will lose their green color. The wild sunflower typically does not turn toward the sun. Wild sunflowers heads may face many directions when mature.

The earliest known examples of a fully domesticated sunflower were found at the Hayes site in Tennessee, Olmec, and San Andres around 2100 B.C. The Incas used the sunflower to represent their sun god. Ontario to Minnesota and Kentucky to Georgia a giant sunflower grows from 3 to 12 feet tall. Their flower heads can be between 2 to 3 inches wide.

Sunflowers are called so for a reason. To grow the perfect sunflower place the plant in direct sunlight. The soil should be fertile, moist, well-drained, with a lot of mulch. Seeds should be planted 45 cm (1.5') apart and 2.5 cm (1") deep.

Once you propagate many flowers a variety of snacks can be made from the "seeds." Sun butter, much like peanut butter, is popular in China, Russia, the Middle East, and many other countries. Sunflower seeds are a great addition to salads or toss them out to the birds. Sunflower oil is less expensive than olive oil.

Kansas is known as the sunflower state and is the city flower of Kitakyushu, Japan. The sunflower is a symbol of green ideology and the vegan society. This flower is very important and loved by all.