Sunflowers are bright, cheerful flowers that are quite easy to grow. Some varieties are seasonal, meaning they die after the season ends. While others can survive for years (parenial). Seasonal sunflowers don't require much care, although you can trim them so they don't grow too tall. Parenial flowers are also not difficult to care for, but you should prune the plant ahead of the next growing season to stimulate new shoots.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Pruning to Stimulate New Growth
Step 1. For parenial plants, prune the previous year's growth ahead of the new growing season
Perennial sunflowers like Maximilian will produce seeds for birds and squirrels if you leave them alone. After the flowering season is over, cut off the previous year's growth using sharp cutting shears. This process will stimulate new growth in the following season. Cut them cleanly and neatly as crumbling stems can damage the plant.
Wait until the flowering season is over before the sunflowers are pruned
Step 2. Wait until the middle of the dry season to prune most of the plants
If you live in a subtropical climate, June is a great month to prune your sunflowers as there is still plenty of growth left to give them time to recuperate. Prune in mid to late June or early July maximum for the last pruning period.
Pruning most of the plant will help the sunflower to keep itself supported by preventing it from growing too tall
Step 3. Prune the sunflowers and leave them 5 - 10 cm high from the ground to limit their height
Use clean cuttings or a small knife. Cut the sunflower stems not far from the soil surface in even and neat cuts. You don't need to leave too much, as the sunflower will grow back from the stem.
- Pruning will limit the height of the flower. For example, a variety that grows 2.5 to 3 meters tall will most likely only grow back to a height of 1 meter after pruning.
- This pruning can be done on almost any type of sunflower, including parenial shrub varieties and large seasonal sunflower varieties.
Step 4. Don't pick sunflowers
"Picking" means to break the new shoots growing on the stem of the plant. Usually, you can do this with nails. However, in most sunflowers, picking can prevent flower buds from growing. So, do not do the pruning in this way.
Picking is an important step for several types of plants, including herbs such as basil, sage, and thyme; and flowers such as marigolds and lavender
Method 2 of 2: Cutting Sunflowers for a Bouquet
Step 1. Be ready to cut flowers when the buds appear
Sunflower buds will bloom quickly into bright yellow flowers. Therefore, keep an eye on the plant to see when the buds start to bloom. That way, you'll be ready to cut it.
Sunflower buds surrounded by green leaves. The entire yellow flower crown will point towards the center, rather than outward
Step 2. Cut sunflowers early in the morning, as soon as the buds bloom
Once the buds burst, don't waste time! If you leave it on the stem too long, the flowers will start to turn brown and won't look pretty for a bouquet. Also, cut it in the morning, not in the afternoon, to prevent the flowers from wilting.
- You can also cut them just before they bloom to stimulate the growth of new buds. Sunflower buds will begin to open once they are placed in the water. However, wait until the yellow crown is visible before the flowers are cut, not just a bunch of green leaves.
- Sterilize all trimmers before use by scrubbing them with soap and water, then dipping them in the bleach solution. Sterilization is an important step, especially if recently the cutting tool has been in contact with diseased plants. Sterilization will prevent residual bacteria or germs from accidentally spreading throughout the garden.
Step 3. Cut the sunflower stalks at an angle
Select the desired length. You can cut it long or short, depending on what the flower is used for. However, be sure to cut the stems at an angle so the flowers can absorb more water when placed in the vase.
Hold the flower gently as the crown falls off easily
Step 4. Place the sunflower in a bucket of lukewarm water
Take a bucket with you when cutting flowers. That way, you don't waste time putting sunflowers in the water. The sooner the flower is placed in the water, the less risk of it wilting.
Step 5. The sunflower will grow back after you cut the stem
If the growing season is still long, chances are the plants will flower again. The flower stalk may not fully develop, so the flower will grow shorter.
- This kind of setting will also stimulate the flowers to grow close together, rather than spread out.
- Tapping will also keep these potentially tall plants at a size that is easier to care for and eliminates the need to support them firmly.
