As I was sorting through my seeds this evening, deciding what to start next, I decided it was time to plant a few pots of sunflowers.
Sunflowers are easy to grow and seem to light up a room or garden and all children seem attracted to perky plants. I have about 12 varieties of sunflowers that range in color and size. I selected Teddy Bear sunflowers and one of the red leaf sunflowers I have to plant. Unfortunately I do not have the name for these red sunflowers as I received them in a seed swap.
The Teddy Bear sunflower will grow to about 18 to 24 inches tall, a great size for indoors. The red sunflower I grow is a little taller. It reaches about four foot. This ends up in the entryway and later when the weather is warmer at night will be moved out to the porch in an arrangement of floral pots.
I selected several large pots and made sure they were well cleaned and germ free. That means no crusted on dirt. As a final precaution I use baking soda to scrub them with and white vinegar and a final rinse and let dry.
I start several sunflower seeds in each pot. After they are about three inches tall I remove all but one plant so that it can grow well and not end up with packed roots. (If you remove the other sunflowers carefully they can be replanted)
Make sure you pot has adequate drainage. I place a tray under the pot and place pebbles on the tray to help with drainage and supply more humidity around the plant. Also use a good fertilizer or compost in the pot so that you will have continuous sunflower blooms.
Finally you need to decide where you want to place the pot. Sunflowers like light! You need a bright window to set it by or a screened in porch.
With adequate light, a little fertilizer, and water this plant will thrive. In the winter months this cheery plant brings back memories of summer and will make anyone smile.
The only other suggestion I have, and this applies to any plant, is if possible use spring water to water your plants. The chemicals and fluoride in city water is not beneficial to plants. If you don’t have spring water you can let tap water sit for about 24 hours. The chlorine and many of the other chemicals will evaporate with time.
Happy gardening! Denise
Tags: Grow an indoor sunflower, indoor plant tips, grow flowers in containers, sunflowers
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