Its stem is strong, the leaves are broad and oval, and the head is oval, with a dark brown background and yellow radial tongues.
It can reach up to six meters in height, although it is usually between two and three meters tall. There are also some dwarf species that can be planted in 40 cm pots. Although it prefers sandy clay, it does not require much soil type.
Watering is usually more gentle and, due to its deep roots, it can absorb more water from the soil. In addition, when they need watering, they can manifest themselves by lowering the leaves and folding the corolla.
Sunflower plantation
The planting season for rainfed cultivation lasts approximately one month from the beginning of summer. Although it prefers clay soils, it is essential that the soil has good drainage.
It is grown from seed, which is planted in March. They are also very resistant to pests and diseases.
If we want to grow our own sunflowers, we will plant the seeds about five or six centimeters deep and they will germinate between seven and fifteen days after planting, depending on the temperature.
They will flower between July and August. Afterwards, we will cut and let the plant dry before harvesting the seeds.
Sunflower seeds are a vice for many, although it is not the only use of this plant. It is also used to make oil for food use, to make biofuel or as a colorant.
In addition, the roots of sunflowers can clean the soil of heavy metals, which is why they were used to treat the land near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It is also used as a medicinal plant for its detoxifying properties.