Sunflower is one of the oldest ornamental and utility plants. The first archaeological evidence of the use of sunflower comes from around 3000 BC. from Mexico, where the Indians decorated temples with his golden images. Most of all, however, they used sunflower fruit (achenes) for culinary purposes. Like us, they ate them raw and roasted, but also made flour from them.
Sunflowers were brought to Europe in the 14th century as typical ornamental plants.First they appeared in palace and court gardens, then quickly settled in peasant farms.Since then, they have been associated with traditional, "grandma's" gardens. It was not until 200 years later that the cultivation of sunflower as an oil plant began in Russia. Until now, Russia is the largest producer of sunflower oil. Even as an oil plant, sunflower makes a great impression - the vast fields of these flowering plants are an unforgettable sight.
Tall, weakly branching sunflower stalks grow up to 4 meters or more - the record holder reached 7.5 meters in height! Plants of ornamental varieties differ significantly in this respect. Low varieties, intended, inter alia, for growing in pots, grow to only 30-40 cm. Rigid shoots end in large, flat inflorescences called baskets. A single basket consists of one outer whorl of yellow ligament flowers and numerous inconspicuous tubular flowers forming a black and brown shield. In varieties, the inflorescences can be variously modified. In addition to the typical for the species single baskets, there are semi-double and full, extremely attractive inflorescences.Sunflower inflorescences are very impressive, reaching up to 30 cm in diameter (the largest sunflower basket observed was 80 cm in diameter). The flowers can be yellow, orange or brown. Young inflorescences turn, following the sun, and only after the lingual flowers have colored their heads do they set the heads of their baskets to the east.
Sunflower is propagated by sowing seeds, or actually fruit, directly into the ground.As this plant is sensitive to frost, seeds are not sown until the end of April and the beginning of May. We use the so-called socket sowing, in one place placing several (2-3) achenes. Depending on the strength of the cultivar's growth, we sow achenes every 30-70 cm. After emergence, we remove the weakest plants. Sunflowers are best suited to a sunny position, sheltered from the wind. Tall plants, laden with huge inflorescences, are easily knocked over by the wind, so it is best to choose places for them along the southern wall, fence or masonry.The soil should be fertile, moderately moist, and well-tilled. In warm and sunny places, the plants bloom 10-12 weeks after sowing, in July, and they continue to bloom until autumn. Sometimes it is necessary to tie the stems.
Sunflowers have a versatile decorative use. They are an inseparable element of a garden arranged in a country style, they also beautifully blend in with other annual flowers blooming in late summer and autumn - cosmos, zinnia or amaranth. There is probably no one who would not be pleased to see a bouquet of sunflowers - their beauty in a vase was appreciated by the master of impressions, van Gogh himself. Sunflowers are a perfect match for all summer-autumn fruit and flower compositions: with shoots of fruiting rose, hops or apples. They are also increasingly grown as a seasonal potted plant.
