Skyscraper sunflower full#

It means you can start collecting seeds between mid-august and September. For example, if you plant your skyscraper sunflower in May, it will start dying out in early August. It takes about 110 and 125 days for these flower heads to start dying out. You will know that your sunflower is ready for harvesting when the seed heads start turning brown. It flaunts its bright yellow 14-inch-wide flower throughout summer. Planting and caring for Skyscraper Sunflowers Blooming and Harvesting

When it is established, thin it up to about 18 inches apart.

Skyscraper sunflower needs strong roots for anchorage, and you can help develop such roots by regular watering before and after blooming.

The plant can tolerate drought after establishment supply water up to two times a week during dry spells.

If the soil needs boosting, add a balanced fertilizer rich in phosphorous.

After germination, the plant takes approximately 70 days to mature up.

The enormous flower heads can outweigh the stem and make the plant flop over, meaning it requires staking or support.

Identify a spot where the plant is safe from strong winds which can break them as they grow taller.

Planting too close together causes powdery mildew and fungal leaf spots.

Plant the seeds or seedlings about 2 feet apart to allow enough air circulation.

They will take between 7 and 10 days to germinate with sufficient water. Plant the seeds about 1 inch under loamy soil and deeper if growing in sand. Their fast growth and establishment make them suitable to start outdoors in the warm spring weather after the danger of frost.

You can start the seeds indoors, awaiting to transplant to the typical garden, or sow them directly in the field. Planting and Caring for Skyscraper Sunflower

Skyscraper sunflower full#

They perform best in full sun exposure, at least six hours or more of direct sunlight a day.

If necessary, amend it for excellent drainage It helps to test the soil’s nutrients before planting.

They prefer well-drained loamy or sandy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

They will grow better in border backgrounds and fences. It grows under similar conditions to other sunflower cultivars, only that it requires a unique setting due to its height. It is suitable for climates similar to hardiness zones 3 to 9 USDA. Skyscraper sunflower is a hardy annual easy to grow and maintain and has dark green heart-shaped leaves. Its height allows it to turn towards the sun without objection freely. Skyscraper sunflower has the advantage of this process over shorter sunflower varieties. If you grow it in a cloudy spot with low temperatures, the plant will be shorter and produce fewer seeds.Īll plants practice heliotropism, where the plant turns to face the sun and grows on the side from where the sun shines the most. Unknown to most growers, the amount of sunlight a skyscraper sunflower receives significantly impacts its height. Effect of Sunlight on the Height of Skyscraper The sunlight activates photosynthesis and accelerates cell growth rate, leading to an extensive increase in the plant’s height. Like the canopy in deep forests strives to reach sunlight, so has the skyscraper sunflower adapted to tap full sunlight with its height. Like all plants, the skyscraper sunflower requires sunlight for photosynthesis and maximum growth. Generally, the taller the plant, the higher the sunflower seed yield. The difference comes in the growing conditions. Their height also enables them to benefit from staking, and you can grow them near a garage, fence, or on tall screens.Įvery skyscraper sunflower grower determines their success with the plant by how tall it grows some may go up to 20 feet tall. Its size is excellent for growing in back gardens and forests as a plant shade due to its height.

A skyscraper attains a mature height of about 12 feet and produces 14-inch across blooms.