Sunflower - Yellow Trunk Form [Helianthus annuus]

This annual sunflower is the original form and is used in folk medicine for many different illnesses. The Incas and Aztecs worshipped it as a symbol of sun deities. Ideal for direct sowing, no pot cultivation, sowing in spring-summer, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the seeds.

 Description 
This type of sunflower is the original form, an annual useful and medicinal plant and the well-known golden yellow sunflower from America. According to archaeological finds, this type was worshipped as a symbol of sun deities by advanced cultures such as the Incas and Aztecs as early as 2500 BC. In folk medicine, the sunflower is used to treat many different illnesses. The oil has a wound-healing effect and is effective against skin inflammation and burns. The ingredients help with colds and neurodermatitis, heal wounds and strengthen the immune system. The lecithin obtained from the plant is a valuable food for the brain and nerves and is rich in choline and phosphatidylcholine. The flower heads of the sunflower are inclined towards the sun and have a diameter of 10 to 40 cm. The large and robust plants have rough hairs on the stem, can grow up to 2.50 m tall and are an excellent visual screen. This yellow trunk form is cultivated in the field to produce oil and seeds and is a symbol of sun, warmth and joie de vivre.

 General information 
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 170 days
Plant height approx.: 250 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 17-20 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Plant and row spacing: 50x60 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 6-7 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Cucumber, vetch
Unfavorable mixed culture: Potato

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to July is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from April to May is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Sunflowers prefers a permeable, nutrient-rich, moist and humus-rich loamy soil. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Later sowing, after July, makes less sense because the plants have a long development time. If the seeds are sown too densely, the plants will develop only slightly; there should never be more than four sunflowers per square meter. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also work in biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Regular watering is necessary for successful cultivation. Fertilization is only recommended after 6 weeks.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Helianthus annuus
English names: Sunflower
German names: Sonnenblume, Indianische Sonne, Sommerrose
Portuguese names: Girassol
Spanish names: Girasol
French names: Tournesol

 Origin 
Country: Portugal