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Sun… sun… sun… flower!  What’s with this plant that always brings smile to someone’s face whenever he or she sees it up close? Is it its bright color? Or is its petals? It seems exciting to grow one but I have contemplated because my garden is a bit shady. We all know it’s a ‘full sun’ kind of a plant, right?

Sunflowers also known as Helianthus, are heliotropics, they track the sunlight as much as they could therefore aid for their growth and maturity. From what I’ve experienced, if you place them in a shady spot, they became leggy and malnourished. Six to eight hours of full sun is a must for better growth and bloom. From the name itself, it’s no wonder they love the sun!

One lovely day, my cousin asked me if I would like some sunflower seedlings. My green fingers could not resist them even though I was reluctant at first and had no idea about their growing conditions. But since I love growing plants especially if they have to be sowed, I decided to give them a go. It was an opportunity to learn something new, too. Last July, I transferred some seedlings on the ground in an area that has a lot of sun exposure which happened to be outside of my garden.

For the past months, they’re growing nicely. It’s a bit tricky taking care of them because pests came out of nowhere attacking the leaves therefore leaving bite marks on the foliage. Although from what I read they’re insect-free, yet I still found some green worms and powdery mildew on its leaves. I tried to remove them as much as possible. Remarkably, they are taught and resilient. They kept on growing even sometimes there’s drought due to intense heat. I made sure they’re hydrated. Furthermore, I feed them with organic fertilizers occasionally.

My hard work finally paid off when I saw the first ever bloom. It’s indescribable! I’m amazed because I usually see it growing on YouTube and now I have it in my extended garden enjoying the sun. The other plants have started forming its flower buds too. I really can’t wait to see all of the blooms!

But what makes them so appealing to gardeners and plant lovers? For sure, when you look closely to the flower, you would be enthused by its beauty. Its florets are like thousands of happy and positive vibes waiting to lift up your mood especially during a tiring day. Everyone needs a dose of sunshine, right? So if you gaze upon the flower even though there’s no actual sunshine just gloomy weather, the sunflower would make you feel better. Make sure you do not stare on it for too long or you would end up cross-eyed! Kidding!

There’s something magical with this plant that even tiny bees and other beneficial insects go gaga with the flowers. The nectars are surely addictive for them. For the Native Americans, sunflower symbolizes courage. For me though, it’s like a goddess of positivity because it brings smile and excitement. Its convivial look is enticing. I always feel chuffed whenever I glimpse of it in my window. It’s breeze of sunshine in my view even if it’s already getting dark outside. Its leaves are like hands waving at me as the winds blow them…

I confess the sunflower plant is now one of my top fave plants. My next summer would not be complete without this mesmerizing gift of nature. For the meantime, I keep on enjoying and observing their growth habits while they last. They are annual plants so they would not come back next year. They eventually die. But hopefully, I would be able to collect its seeds when they are mature enough so I could sow them. I learned that their seeds contain antioxidants and beneficial to our health. They even use for salads and snacks, as well as for making sunflower oil.

Here’s a quote to live by…

'True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.'     

                                                                                                                  Marie Williams Johnstone

How about you? Have you experienced growing sunflower plants? What’s your confession?

For more information about growing and caring of sunflower plant, check out this link below.

https://gilmour.com/growing-sunflowers

Wishing you tons of sunflower power! Thank you for reading my blog!