Sunflowers are desirable ornamental plants featuring beautiful round, yellow blooms. It doesn’t matter the period in which they are planted (be it in late summer or fall); it still produces edible seeds that are annually grown. They are also easy to grow.
However, most people find it challenging to keep sunflowers healthy in a pot, especially after picking.
For perfect vase life, cut your sunflower when it is almost open, keep it in a bucket, arrange the flowers in a vase, and keep it fresh.
We’ll be showing you detailed tips on how to take care of sunflowers in a vase. But, first, what is a sunflower?
Sunflowers Overview
Derived from the words sun and flower, the sunflower is a portmanteau, and is scientifically called genus helianthus. It comes from the Asteraceae family and comprises almost 70 species of both annual and perennial herbaceous plants.
Apart from three of its South American species, every other helianthus species of the sunflower are primarily native to North America and Central America.
Most are grown as ornamental plants because of their great size, beautiful flower heads, and edible seeds. Sunflowers were meant to grow yellow flowers that twirl when facing the sun.
For this reason, they are referred to as heliotropes. The flowers it breeds require sunlight at about 6 to 8 hours to stay healthy; hence, their best bloom time is summer.
They also germinate the best if you plant them in gardens and within soil temperatures of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
See Also: How Late Can You Plant Sunflowers?
How to Take Care of Sunflowers in a Vase
Though caring for sunflowers in a vase might seem quite tricky, but once you follow the right procedures and care tips, you’ll discover that it is as easy as a piece of cake, just like when you plant in a garden.
Also, with the perfect treatment, you can expect your sunflowers to last at least 6 to 8 days.
Step 1: Cutting Your Sunflowers
The first thing you must do to get the best out of your sunflower in a vase is by cutting them when they are not entirely open and have ray petals that are orthogonal to the flower disk.
However:
- A day before cutting, endeavor to water it so that the plants will be adequately hydrated because the arid ground will cause the sunflower to wilt before or after cutting it. On the other hand, good watering condition allows the plant to soak up the hydration and cause them to be very edible, thereby making the cutting look a lot easier.
- Also, make sure you prepare a bucket half-filled with warm water at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- With a sterile and clean knife or shears, cut the sunflower as early as dawn before 10 a.m. and after the morning dew.
- Trim the stems carefully, at least 30 inches long, and put them inside the half-filled bucket of water.
- Position the bucket in a sheltered area when you’re cutting the flowers.
Step 2: Exposure to Sunlight
Another drastic and essential measure towards caring for the sunflowers in your vase is by giving it sufficient sunlight. If there’s one thing that sunflowers need the most, it is sunlight. Sunflowers require sunlight to thrive.
- First, make sure you have an area that can is prone to sunlight reflections
- Then, place the sunflower in the area and allow it to get exposed to the sunlight
- Make sure the closed buds are exposed to the sunlight reflexes
- Be careful not to leave them too exposed to the sunlight for a lengthy period, as it might result in them becoming excessively dehydrated
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Step 3: Provide a Vase
This process is required after your sunflowers have begun to produce blooms. In other words, you must have gotten a vase ready so that once the plant starts blooming, you transfer it inside the vase.
Meanwhile, a vase is simply a pot or container used mainly for displaying fresh, dried, or artificial flowers.
- Get a tall vase
- Make sure you wash it thoroughly using hot water and soap
- Fill it with warm water, but do not rush into putting the sunflowers in yet as there are other things to deal with before that.
Step 4: Cutting of Stems
Now, you have finished providing a vase; you can now go back to where you have earlier kept your sunflowers.
- With a sharp knife or garden pruning shears, try cutting off one inch of the base of the sunflower’s stem and make sure it is within 45 degrees
- Make sure that it is done under room temperature water. This is because it will make your sunflower soak up water easily
Step 5: Removing Excess Foliage
This is the final procedure just before putting the sunflowers in the already prepared vase;
- Get rid of any leaves that you find dwelling underneath the waterline, as they can invite dangerous bacteria to your vase that can be disastrous to your sunflower
- Then it’s finally time to place the sunflower into the vase and allow it to soak up all the water in it
Step 6: Nutrient Requirement
Sunflowers need extra care and attention when potted, which includes giving them enough nutrients to thrive or produce the best result.
Make sure you feed it with the flower food that comes with it. You can also apply a teaspoon of bleach inside the vase to help protect your sunflower from dangerous bacteria.
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Step 7: Locate a Perfect Position for your Sunflower Vase
The spot where you keep your sunflower vase determines what you’ll expect from it. Therefore, it is essential to find a perfect dwelling place to position your vase and showcase its attractiveness.
Make sure you:
- Keep them in an area that is free from hot or cool drafts
- Don’t place them close to any fruit tree
- Don’t expose them to excessive sunlight. Yes, they need sunlight, but too much of it will make them dehydrate and wear out easily
Step 8: Frequent Reconditioning
Just like we earlier discussed, sunflowers can give you the best result you desire when given adequate care and attention. Therefore, you can repeat the maintenance tips every day, if possible.
- You can re-trim their stems
- Do not forget to renew their water every day, if need be
- You can minimize the watering rate if you notice that the soil is becoming soggy due to overwatering
- Expose to sunlight, but not necessarily excessive, to prevent their flowers from withering away or fading off their beautiful colors
