What is Sunflower?
Helianthus is a genus comprising about 70 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae commonly known as sunflowers.
How To Grow Sunflower In Zambia
You may have driven past a field of sunflowers and wondered why people grow them. Well, they are a very marketable crop. And, believe me, there’s no secret technique to growing sunflowers. All it really takes is sowing a seed.
The sunflower buds then follow the sun as it treks across the sky each day until it blooms. Apart from growing a cheerful flower, there are also other benefits to growing sunflowers.
Why you should consider growing sunflowers
- The sunflower is an ideal multipurpose plant. The flower head has hundreds of tiny inflorescences grouped together into what appears to be a single flower head. Each of these tiny flowers is loaded with the nectar and pollen that attract and feed a huge variety of pollinators and beneficial insects.
- The sunflower seeds are processed into meals and oil is extracted from them. They are also used as bird feed.
- Stems are not only the backbone of the sunflower, they make nice materials on large and small scales like paper. Industrial agriculture can also upcycle the stems and add them as a component of thermal insulation, along with other plant byproducts.
- The plant’s leaves hold medicinal qualities. They are used to treat cuts, and lung infections and reduce fevers. They are also great to feed cattle.
- The roots of sunflowers are delicious raw or cooked. Furthermore, they support the intestinal ecosystem by providing inulin. The plant has the ability to remove harmful toxins from your soil including lead, arsenic, zinc, chromium, copper, and manganese.
Planting sunflowers
You can plant sunflower seeds directly into the soil. To plant in rows, space the seeds about 15 cm apart in a shallow trench between 2.5 and 5 cm deep. In sandy soil, 5cm deep is better. Cover and water until the seeds sprout in 7 to 10 days. When the first true leaves appear (the second set of leaves); thin plants to about 60 cm apart. Depending on the variety, sunflowers will mature and develop seeds in 80 to 120 days.
For maximum seed, production space rows 60 to 120 cm apart. Use traditional, tall, seed-producing varieties such as ‘Mammoth’ or ‘Paul Bunyan Hybrid’, ‘Aztec Gold Hybrid’, or ‘Super Snack Hybrid’.
To grow smaller flowers for bouquets, space plants much closer together. about 5cm apart in. Skip fertilizing. The plants will be much smaller, with fewer branches, but the stems will be longer and flower heads a good size for arrangements.
GROWING TIPS
1. Sunflower roots spread widely and can withstand some drought
However, you have to water them regularly when they are about 20 days before and after flowering. This is their most important growth period.
2. Sunflowers do not need fertilizing
However, because they grow vigorously (they can easily grow 2 meters in just 3 months), it’s a good idea to add some slow-acting granular fertilizer to poor, thin soil.
3. Some sunflower varieties don’t need any staking
However, you have to support plants that are multi-branched or grow over 1m tall. Their branches can be fairly brittle, especially at the points where they join the stems.
4. Birds can be a problem when seeds ripen and harvest time approaches
To keep birds away, barrier devices are the most effective. So, as the heads mature and flowers face down, cover each one with white poly-spun garden fleece.
Sunflower diseases
Downy Mildew
Sunflowers can be infected with fungal diseases such as mildews and rust. Downy Mildew causes mottling and pale areas on upper leaf surfaces and fuzzy mold growth on their undersides.
Eventually, the leaves wither and die. The oldest leaves are usually infected first.
Rust
Rust appears on upper leaf surfaces first as yellow or white spots that turn brown or black. Puffy blisters then appear on the undersides.
Fungus
If fungal diseases are spotted early, spraying with a general garden fungicide as directed on the product label can protect healthy foliage. Remove and destroy seriously infected plants.
Moths
A small gray sunflower moth sometimes lays its eggs in developing sunflower blossoms. Its larvae are greenish-yellow with 5 brown stripes down their backs.
They feed in the flower and destroy seeds, creating a mass of webbing and debris.
Are your plants ready for harvest?
When your plants are ready for harvest, the reverse side of the flower heads turns from green to yellow-brown. Large heads will nod downward. A close look will reveal the tiny petals covering the developing seeds have dried and now fall out easily exposing the tightly packed mature seeds.
What is the right time to plant sunflowers in Zambia?
A farmer planning to plant sunflowers as a main crop should consider planting during November and no later than the end of December in order to reach the target yield of more than 2t/ha.
How much is a kg bag of sunflower in Zambia?
The price in Zambian Kwacha is ZMW 432.59 per kg.
How long do sunflower seeds need to grow?
There are various varieties of sunflowers, and each one will grow at a different rate. On average, though, it takes between 80 and 120 days for a plant to mature and develop seeds.
What are the varieties of sunflowers in Zambia?
Besides this, he advises growers to plant certified seed obtained from recognized dealers, especially seed companies.
Zambia Seed Company (Zamseed) has in stock various sunflower varieties such as Milika, Saona, and CCA 81. Milika, a new and improved early maturing variety has the potential of two tonnes per hectare.
What type of soil is best for sunflowers?
Sunflowers generally grow best on well-drained soils.
They are tolerant of a clay loam or silty clay loam soils and perform well on sandy loam soils.
Sunflowers do best when grown in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.