Sunflower - Yellow Trunk Form [Helianthus annuus]

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 species was already worshiped around 2500 BC by advanced cultures such as the Incas and Aztecs as symbols of sun deities. In folk medicine, sunflower is used to treat many diseases. The sunflower flower heads are inclined towards the sun and are 10 to 40 cm in diameter. The large and robust plants have rough hair on the stems, can grow up to 2.50 m high and serve excellently as an attractive privacy screen. This yellow strain is cultivated in the fields to extract oil and seeds and is a symbol of sun, warmth and joy of life.

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

pH value: 6 to 7

Sowing and planting information
Germ 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

Optimal mixed culture: Cucumber, Vetch
Unfavorable mixed culture: Potato

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from March to July. We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to July.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from April to May. We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to May.

General
Sow directly in rows or pre-cultivate. When pre-cultivating, sow 3 seeds per pot, in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible sunflower leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons. With this method, maintain a plant and row spacing of 60x70.
Sunflower prefers a sunny location with permeable, moist, nutrient-rich, humus-rich and slightly sandy loam soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Sowing later, after July, makes less sense because the plants have a long development time. If the seeds are sown too densely, the plants will only develop slightly. There should never be more than four sunflowers per square meter. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds.

Plant care
Regular watering is necessary for successful cultivation. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 6-7 years

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