Walt Disney World horticulturist Dennis Hopen shares several ideas for brightening a landscape with sunflowers. These large, vibrant beauties offer a number of advantages for the gardener; they require little maintenance, encounter few problems and include several varieties, a few of which are pollen-free. (Sunflowers are also easy to transplant from containers.) With a number of types available, sunflowers can provide a range of diverse looks for a garden or landscape. Four common varieties, along with seven questions and answers on sunflower care are listed below:
- Velvet Queen
- Santa Fe
- Teddy Bear - pollen-free
- Sahin - dwarf and pollen-free
Questions and Answers:
Question: What are some common problems concerning sunflowers?
Answer: Leaf fungus. Since sunflowers are vulnerable to this condition, be sure the plants are placed in an area with ample air circulation that is exposed to light first thing in the morning--this will ensure that the leaves don't stay damp. (Insects, however, do not pose any real problem for sunflowers.)
Question: How tall do sunflowers normally grow?
Answer: Sunflower stalks usually reach 12-13 feet in height within six months.
Question: Explain the transplanting process and the concept of dwarfing.
Answer: For a longer growing season, begin cultivating the flowers early in a container. Leaving a plant in its container instead of transplanting it will create a dwarfed version.
Question: What are good varieties to use for cut flowers?
Answer: Multi-branching types are best for this purpose.
Question: What are the "pollen-less" varieties of sunflowers?
Answer: Both the Sahin and Teddy Bear varieties are pollen-free.
Question: How can sunflowers be used to enhance a landscape?
Answer: Sunflowers--especially tall, bushy varieties--create beautiful screens when planted in blocks.
Question: How easy are sunflowers to plant and maintain?
Answer: Sunflowers should be planted in a location where they receive at least six hours of sunlight every day, and they should not be over-fertilized. Under the right conditions, these plants will generally thrive with minimal maintenance.
Resources Sunflowers
by John F. Prevost (ISBN: 1562396110 )
Abdo & Daughters, (May 1998)
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Guests Dennis Hopen
Garden Specialist, Disney Institute
1550 Bear Island Rd. Trailer R89
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: 407-938-3920
Fax: 407-938-3919
URL:
www.disney.gardener
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