Correct cultivation of ornamental sunflower seeds

The ornamental sunflower is an annual herb. Its sunny flowers will adorn any site. There are more than 150 varieties of sunflower, which makes it possible for each gardener to choose flowers to their own taste.

The purpose of growing ornamental sunflower in the open field

The ornamental sunflower, called helianthus, differs from the agricultural species in its rich sunny flowers. It is grown for creation on the site unique village flavor.

Quite often, sunflower can be planted for:

• creating a hedge around the circumference of the fences;
• flowerpots;
• creating bouquet compositions;
• decoration of flower beds.

The most popular sunflower varieties

The most popular varieties of helianthus include:

• Teddy bear... The annual plant has a compact size (up to 1 m) and blooms with rather large double flowers, painted in bright yellow tones. The flowering period lasts until autumn.
• Red sun... A type of sunflower that has bright red-brown petals. Plant height reaches 2 m, and the flowering period is quite long
• Vanilla ice grown to create bouquets. The flowers have a delicate vanilla color and very favorably emphasize the tenderness of the floral arrangement.
• Moulin Rouge... A sunflower with an unusual color scheme. The petals of burgundy-red tones lighten closer to the edges, and become very dark towards the middle of the flowers.
• Kong - the highest representative of the sunflower. The plant reaches a height of 5 m. As a rule, such plants are planted near fences and tied up, since sunflowers break with strong gusts of wind. This variety makes wonderful and colorful hedges.
• Teddy bear... In this variety, the flowers look incredibly rich - terry, fluffy with a bright yellow tint, they look spectacular in flower arrangements.
• Orange sun... The decorative sunflower begins its flowering period in July and pleases with its dark red flowers until September. It should be borne in mind that the plant loves open sunny areas. It tolerates drought well and loves sunny warm days.

Landing rules

Before planting, it is necessary to choose the most favorable area for the growth of an ornamental plant. When choosing a place, it should be remembered that the following areas are best suited for planting a decorative sunflower:

• protected from gusts of wind;
• located in the open air;
• with a good level of drainage.

Decorative sunflower will not be able to grow on soil of high acidity... Planting seeds is possible from early May to mid-July.

When planting helianthus, it is necessary to strictly observe the sowing technology:

• First thing soak the seeds... To do this, we wrap them in a material soaked in resin infusion. The recipe for the infusion - a liter of warm water will require a couple of tablespoons. ash.
• We dig holes, the depth of which reaches 5.5-6 cm.
• We deepen into each hole a few seeds by 2-2.5 cm.
• The distance between the sprouts should be approximately 45-50 cm depending on the variety. The largest varieties should be placed at a distance 70 cm apart.
• Rows should be spaced apart 70-80 cm.
• After sowing the beds, they should be rolled in.
• The first shoots of seedlings appear after 7-11 days.

Decorative flower care

Decorative sunflowers require timely care:

• Flowers should be watered enough often and abundantly, since the root of an annual plant reaches a depth of 2-2.5 m. In hot weather, the soil is moistened several times a day. It is especially important to water the plants until the period of full formation of 4 pairs of foliage, budding and flowering.
• Helianthus needs enhanced nutrition... For these purposes, you should purchase granular superphosphate, which will need to feed the sunflower and water it abundantly at the time of development of the 5th leaf. As soon as the baskets begin to form, the plant is fertilized with mullein infusion in a ratio of 1:10. Potassium sulfate is also added. If bubbles begin to form on the foliage of the helianthus, the plant should be fed with a boron-containing solution.
• Periodically, it is necessary to inspect the state of the plantings in order to timely identify the activity of pests or the beginning of the development of the disease.
• Every 7-10 days it is required to carry out loosening the soil and removing weeds.

Diseases and pests

Despite the external power and invulnerability of plants, it should be borne in mind that insufficient care can provoke the occurrence of diseases such as:

• peronosporosis;
• black spot;
• gray spot;
• alternaria;
• stem phomosis;
• ascochitis;
• rot.

For these purposes, perfect fit Apron and Cruiser.

Helianthus can infect and viral infections:

• mosaic;
• greening of inflorescences.

This disease is transmitted by insects. Also, it can seriously harm the development of a solar flower. broomrape (a parasitic flowering plant with a completely absent root system). Broomrape sprouts fully penetrate the roots of sunflowers and feed on them.

When growing helianthus, beware of the following pests:

• aphids;
• May beetle larvae;
• bedbugs;
• weevils;
• wireworms;
• meadow moths.

To destroy pests, it is advisable to use insecticidal and acaricidal preparations, which include Agravertine, Volley, Akarin.

Application in landscaping and combination with other plants

When using flowers of 2-3 species of various heights, you can make up a vivid color with bright helianthus flowers flower bed... Having planted compact sunflower varieties along the edges of garden paths you can make them especially amazing during the daytime. Tall sunflower species will be great hedge.

When decorating a flower bed, it is worth considering the basic rules of landscape design:

• It is better to plant yellow inflorescences of plants next to flowers of blue, purple and white shades.
• Decorative sunflowers will create a unique composition in combination with chrysanthemum, chamomile, white lyatrix, lavender and delphinium. If desired, you can complement the composition with wildflowers of bright colors.

In recent years, sunflower has gained widespread popularity. in creating bouquets... When composing the composition, chic sunny inflorescences are complemented by asters, gladioli, chrysanthemums and roses. The main advantage of using sunflowers in bouquets is the preservation of its freshness over a long period of time.

Growing decorative sunflowers does not require much time and physical costs. The most important thing is not to forget about the systematic watering of plants, weeding the beds and loosening the soil.

Once the inflorescences have wilted, they can be removed with a knife. After that, the helianthus should be cut at the root... If desired, you can collect seeds for the next planting work.

Unpretentious plants of extraordinary beauty will emphasize the individuality of the garden area. Sunny inflorescences will delight the owners with their appearance every day and create a cozy home atmosphere.