Did you know that the sunflower head is composed of hundreds to thousands of tiny individual blooms joined together? I bet you didn’t, and this is just one of the things that makes this flower unique.
Sunflowers are also known for their ability to move their flower heads or blooms to turn to face the sun throughout the day. This is the reason they are also called Helianthus.
They are easy-to-grow plants that are enjoyed by gardeners everywhere. The bright color they add to the landscape makes them very appealing.
Seeing your garden full of sunflower blooms can be soothing to your soul. But there are some questions that you might have if you are interested in having that beautiful yard.
So, in this article, we will discuss everything about sunflowers blooming, from when they bloom to how to get your plant to flower.
When do Sunflowers Bloom?
While numerous varieties are available, sunflowers commonly bloom during summer into fall.
Some annual sunflowers, like the common sunflower, bloom from the middle of summer through early fall, while others, like the Mexican sunflower, produce blooms from midsummer to mid-fall.
Beach sunflower is a type of perennial sunflower, and, like annuals, it blooms from midsummer to early fall.
Another type of perennial sunflower is the willowleaf sunflower, which blooms quite later, blooming from early fall to mid-fall.
Knowing what type you have would help you know when to expect blooms from your sunflowers plant, but at least you’ve got a general estimate.
How Long Do Sunflowers Take to Bloom?
Sunflowers are amazingly easy to grow from seed, and you do not have to wait too long to see your plant showcase its wonderfully colored blooms.
Depending on the variety you plant, it can take roughly three months or 10 to 13 weeks to flower when grown from seed.
Now that you know this, it would be a good idea to sow some seeds every week or every couple of weeks so you’ll have a supply of sunflowers for a long while.
How Long Do Sunflower Blooms Last?
The time and duration of blooming vary from one species to another. That being said, the blooming phase usually lasts for about 20 days.
This means you have 20 days to enjoy the beauty of your sunflower. This is the best time to take advantage of your plant’s yellow blooms.
You can put the flowers in a vase or gift them in a bouquet. The blooming also allows bees to pollinate the flower and fertilize the seeds.
You can encourage your sunflowers to produce new blossoms by deadheading them. If you deadhead, the plant will keep creating new blossoms to create seeds and more sunflowers.
Ensure not to cut too much of the stalk, as the new sunflower will come out a few inches from where the old one was removed.
How to Care For a Blooming Sunflower Plant
Sunflowers can manage to grow without any attention from us, but you can nurture your plants so that they last longer than their normal blooming period.
As mentioned earlier, deadheading can induce your plant to produce new blossoms. Try to leave the last batch of flowers for the birds and next year’s flowers.
Give your plant plenty of direct sunlight. This is the most important step.
Allow your plant access to at least 6 hours of full sun daily. Several hours more than this is not too much, though.
If your plant is indoors, make sure you take it close to a window that receives the most light.
Your plant will benefit if you add compost to the soil, whether planted outside or indoors.
Compost improves the soil’s moisture retention while adding nutrients for the plant.
First, spread the compost on the soil surface, then use a rake or a tiller to mix it with the top 6 inches of the soil. This compost is fully incorporated, providing nutrients to drive plant growth.
As your plants bloom, their nutritional requirements increase, increasing your need to feed them.
So another way to keep your blooming plant alive is to feed your plant with high-quality fertilizer.
Refrain from over-fertilizing, as this will encourage more foliage growth than flower growth. Fertilize no more than once in four weeks.
To keep your sunflower in the best shape possible, increase your watering frequency when your plant starts to bloom.
You can increase your watering frequency to five days a week or once daily. The extra water will encourage the plant to produce more blooms, and the flowers will last longer.
Ensure that water doesn’t touch the flower head. Instead, aim for the plant’s base.
Do not allow the top layer of the soil to dry out completely. If the soil dries, the flower itself will start to wilt.
How to Help a Sunflower Bloom
There are a bunch of reasons why a sunflower may not bloom. These include a lack of sunlight, excess nitrogen in the soil, pests, deer nibbling, or a shortage of time.
Moving your potted plant somewhere with more light accessibility will help it grow properly and manage a few blooms before the season is done.
An indication of too much nitrogen is a sunflower with an abundance of extra-large leaves. The best thing to do in this situation is to start with a new plant.
Try the fast-growing variety if you still want a sunflower plant that will bloom this year. An example is ‘Sunspot,’ which blooms in around 65 days.
Sow your seeds only in soil that hasn’t been fertilized in a year or two. If you want to continue working with the foliage-rich plant you already have, you can try root pruning the plant.
It is supposed to startle the plant into forming flower heads and blooming. This may be a futile attempt, but it is worth a trial.
With a tall wire fence, you can keep deer that like to nibble on flower head buds out of your garden.
Invest in some multi-branching varieties instead of the types with one stalk that produces only one flower head per stem.
This way, you can counter the issue of your plant not producing extra blooms if a deer nibbles.
The best way to handle these pests is to let nature take its course. If the moths get out of control, I recommend deadheading the infected heads.
Lastly, give your plant enough time to mature. You may be too impatient and think your plant isn’t doing well when it’s not mature enough to bloom.
Sit back, watch, and wait for the flower buds to appear. In the meantime, take good care of your plant.
Growing sunflowers is a rewarding experience for gardeners of all levels. You can grow this plant indoors or outdoors.
Make sure to choose a variety of sunflowers wisely for the best results and adjust your care routine according to your location and your variety’s needs.