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Why Do My Sunflowers Droop Over?
Drooping in sunflower plants can occur in both young and older plants. What to do about drooping sunflowers depend s on what stage of growth they’re in and the cause of the drooping.
Why do sunflowers have yellow heads?
Some sunflowers can attain great heights with large sunny yellow heads. So an obvious reason for drooping heads is simply top-heavy sunflowers. If this is the case, there’s no fixing drooping sunflowers. Top-heavy sunflowers are a natural occurrence just as overladen fruit boughs bend under the weight of a plentiful harvest. If all else is well with the plant and it is healthy, the stalk should be able to withstand the weight without splitting. If you are truly worried about damage to the stalk, however, tie the head up to a fence, tree, eave, or whatever the sunflower is near to help the plant bear the weight.
What causes sunflowers to droop?
Insects, like caterpillars and spider mites, can damage young sunflower seedlings, causing them to droop, yellow and even die. Keep the area around the seedlings free from debris and weeds that harbor pests. Treat a drooping plant with a mild insecticidal soap if you suspect a pest infestation.
How to keep sunflowers from drooping?
Excellent cultural conditions are the key to keeping sunflowers from drooping. If the plants are in a shaded area or have too much or too little water, you may find them droopy looking. Sow sunflowers in full sun in moderately fertile, well-draining soil. Water them with one inch (2.5 cm.) of water per week depending upon rainfall.
Why are my sunflowers damping off?
Fungal diseases can cause a number of issues with sunflowers, including damping off. One of the first signs of damping off is wilting or drooping. This is followed by yellowing foliage, stunting and failure to thrive. Proper sowing and watering can decrease the risk of damping off.
How to keep sunflowers from getting weeds?
Allow the top ½ inch (1.25 cm.) of soil to dry between watering, which will help prevent fungal infections. Keep the area around the plants weed and detritus free. Sunflowers don’t usually need fertilizer, but a little boost won’t hurt them. Too much nitrogen, however, will result in healthy green foliage and few blooms.
Do sunflowers bend under weight?
Top-heavy sunflowers are a natural occurrence just as overladen fruit boughs bend under the weight of a plentiful harvest. If all else is well with the plant and it is healthy, the stalk should be able to withstand the weight without splitting.
How to cut a sunflower stem?
Cut the stem the length you require at an angle. Sunflower stems are thick and need a lot of water, cutting at an angle gives a greater area for more water to draw up the stem. Having a vase that supports the length of stem you’ve cut will help them not to droop. Put the sunflowers in water straight away.
How to grow sunflowers in the sun?
Gradually increase the hours each day. Continue until the last of the harsh weather has gone. Plant your sunflowers in the ground. Sunflowers grow fast, and to grow strong they need a lot of sun to do this. So make sure you plant your sunflower seedlings in as sunny a place as you can. Six hours of sunlight is ideal.
Why are my sunflowers drooping?
So why are my sunflowers drooping? First of all make sure all developing plants are well drained and have been watered. Seedlings are usually floppy and will soon get stronger when hardened off. Mature plants have heavy drooping heads and need staking, while cut wilting flowers might need a change of water and a bit more care.
How to harden sunflowers?
How to Harden off Sunflowers 1 Place your seedling trays and pots in a sunny, but sheltered place on firm ground for a few hours every day 2 Make sure you bring them in at night 3 Gradually increase the hours each day 4 Continue until the last of the harsh weather has gone 5 Plant your sunflowers in the ground.
What happens when seedlings wilt?
If your seedlings start to wilt, this is usually known as ‘transplanting shock’. Make sure they are gently watered and if you need to use wire supports then do so. Be patient, they will soon get strength from being outside in their new ground and the natural sunlight from above.
How long do cut sunflowers last?
Here are a few tips to keeps your sunflowers from wilting, and to make wilting sunflowers perky again. If cared for properly, cut sunflowers can last up to 2 weeks.
What does "hardening off" mean?
‘Hardening off’ means that you gradually introduce your sunflower seedlings to their new outdoor life. This is done a few weeks before you transplant them into their summer growing site. It takes a bit of dedication and care, but it will ensure better sunflower results.
How to replant a sunflower that is root bound?
Roots of a root-bound plant grow out the pot's drainage holes. Use well-draining, high-quality potting soil, replanting the sunflower, including its root ball, at the same soil depth it grew previously. The new plant pot should be at least 2 inches wider in diameter than the old pot. Water the sunflower well after it is repotted.
How to fertilize sunflowers that have yellow leaves?
The leaf symptoms could be signs that the plant lacks nitrogen. Mix about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of fertilizer labeled as 15-5-15 with calcium and magnesium (Cal-Mg) with 1 gallon of water.
What temperature should sunflowers be?
Also, place the sunflower in an area with good air circulation, preferably where the daytime temperature is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to replant a sunflower?
Use well-draining, high-quality potting soil, replanting the sunflower, including its root ball, at the same soil depth it grew previously . The new plant pot should be at least 2 inches wider in diameter than the old pot. Water the sunflower well after it is repotted.
Can you start a sunflower from seed?
Typically a dwarf cultivar, a potted sunflower (Helianthus annuus) can be purchased at a nursery, or you can start it yourself from seed. If your once-thriving sunflower appears as if it is dying, don't fret just yet. Sometimes, just a couple leaves die back without further issues.
Who is Melissa Lewis?
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
