grow helianthus in pots allows you to enjoy these beautiful efflorescence anywhere in your yard .
Jay Wilde
A beloved summer yearbook , helianthus make a statementin the garden with their brightly dark petals . Growing helianthus in hatful allows you to enjoy these vibrant , beautiful flowers in any sunny spot , whether you have a spacious yard or only have a small porch or balcony . It ’s also a fun way to play with different variety of sunflowers , from the Hellenic shiny yellow-bellied types to orange and reddened ones . This guide to growing sunflowers in pots supply planting education , plus tips on watering , fertilizing , and venture your plant .
Credit:Jay Wilde
Steps for Planting Sunflowers in Pots
1. Select a large pot.
Choosing theright - sized containeris key to growing helianthus in pots . Most varieties of helianthus grow several feet tall , sometimes reaching five to six feet . When growing sunflower in pots , ensure the container has plenty of depth and space to hold the roots . helianthus have tap root that require way to carry fully . pick out containers with enough depth that they can hold at least two foot of grunge so the root have ample room to grow .
Dwarf sunflower varieties work well in container because they stay shorter .
2. Use enriched potting mix.
helianthus are n’t too picky about the soil they grow in , as long as it ’s well - drained . In a container , it ’s best to use a commercial-grade potting mix to ensure practiced drain . And because sunflowers are heavy feeders , which means they involve a lot of nutrient from the soil , it ’s a unspoilt thought toamend the potting mix with some compostor aged manure to ensure your plants flourish .
3. Sow sunflower seeds in warm weather.
The best time to sow sunflower seeds is after thelast Robert Lee Frost has occur in springand when soil temperature are around 50 ° F.Growing sunflowersin Mary Jane means you do n’t have to trust on the outside grunge temperature , but it ’s a good indicator that the weather is warming up and it ’s meter to raise these flowers .
Choosehigh - caliber seedsto ensure optimum sprouting . Sow seeds right away into the container you desire your sunflowers to develop in . The reason is simple : sunflowers do n’t care to be incite or uprooted . Sow seeds 1- 1 ½ inch deep and space them around 6 inches aside .
conceive sowing sunflower seeds over a month or so to enjoy blooming times for a longer period .
Watering and Fertilizing Sunflowers in Pots
After sow in the seeds , water them each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to keep the soil moist . Make trusted the soil stay moist but not waterlogged while your sunflower seedlings are developing . Once your sunflowers are well - establishedin the pot , it ’s best to water them deeply and less oftentimes instead of watering a little more often . Typically , this mean watering helianthus once a workweek , and allow for enough water at a time that it enfeeble out the bottom of the pot . Check the soil moisture storey by placing your finger into the dirt a couple of inches deep . If it ’s wry , irrigate your sunflowers .
Fertilize helianthus in potful about once a calendar month , using an all - intent liquid fertilizerat one-half strength of what the label directions call for .
Sunlight and Temperature Requirements
helianthus aresun - loving one-year flowersso place your containers in a berth that receive direct sunshine at least 6 - 8 hour a day . They do comfortably in warm weather , so may be slower to grow if you plant them too shortly in spring before temperatures stick around above 50 ° farad .
Supporting and Staking Sunflowers
When growing sunflowers in wad , you may need to stake them oruse a trellisto keep them from falling over as they grow tall . Many varieties do n’t take to be staked but there are some situations when redundant support may be beneficial . If you’regrowing sunflowersin a windy domain and there is n’t a way to protect them , staking them can helpthem stay upright through blustery weather . Another reason to give your helianthus extra support is if they are n’t getting sufficient sunlight . This can ensue in weaker stems that need staking .
employ metal or wooden stake and place them near the sunflower stem turn . Use string or soft ties to wrap around the sunflower stalking and post .
Pests and Problems
Once established , sunflowers are n’t normally bothered by pests or diseases . Rabbits and deer may nosh on the plant so if you last in an area with plenty of these animals around , you may need to place a wire fence with diminutive holes around your skunk . Or keep your helianthus container close to your house where wildlife may be less likely to hazard .
If potted sunflower sit in too much water , they maydevelop root rot . This occurs because the antecedent are n’t capable to absorb sufficient oxygen ( yes , roots require to breathe too ) . To avoid this problem , practice a soil mix designate for container , and if you have a dish under the pot , make trusted to empty it out rather that bequeath the raft sitting in it .
