Why sunflowers die

However, avoid overwatering the plant as this may cause the roots to rot and the plant to dry. Just like any other plant, sunflowers need nutrients to grow strong and healthy.

So, if they lack some nutrients, the plant may suffocate and die slowly. For instance, if your plant lacks nitrogen , the lower leaves may start to yellow and drop. Create a nutrient solution of calcium, magnesium, and water, then feed it to the dying sunflower. However, even though fertilizer is vital for the growth and survival of the plant, you should not fertilize it a week to bloom.

Pest infestation is another thing to look out for. Pests such as aphids and mites can attack your sunflower and cause it to die. For this reason, you need to constantly monitor your plant and get rid of pests before its too late. It is easy to spot pests on your plant as you will see discolored leaves or leaves with holes or deformed, as a result of pests feeding on them.

Getting rid of pests is simple as you can use a mild insecticidal soap or a mild soap. Check out for yellow leaves, which is a common sign for fungal infection. Common fungal infections include downy mildew. If the damage is excess, then you may have to remove the plant so that it does not affect others as it will rarely produce flowers. Get the right fungicide and apply to the plant immediately you notice these signs. There are a few specific pests that gravitate to sunflowers, so have a read up on these beasties and how to combat them.

If you have very tall sunflowers, they may be drooping simply because their heads are too heavy. Sunflowers have huge heads, and sometimes the weight of this can be just a bit too much for the stem to hold up.

But, as with any plant, there are a few things you should look out for:. The first thing you should do is make sure the sunflower has enough water. Next, check the size of the pot — is it big enough? Does it have enough room to spread its roots? Is the soil free draining enough to allow enough water in? If the answer to these questions is no, then your sunflower needs a bigger pot, with well draining soil. This might encourage your local wildlife to feast elsewhere.

Thank you for the article. I planted the sunflower in a tray indoor balcony with full sunlight and hot weather Singapore. Today is the 20th day. They now have developed 6 leaves on average. I read your article and tried to water in the early morning, as well as in the afternoon coz i scared overwatering them. Are these 2 leaves essential to their growth? How the sunflower will be without these first 2 leaves? I hope my previous comment answered your questions, but to elaborate further, the first two leaves on a sunflower seedling arent essential.

As long as the plant keeps growing and producing leaves it will be fine. Your email address will not be published. Skip to content. So let us see how we can help hold our sunflower heads up high. How to Harden off Sunflowers Place your seedling trays and pots in a sunny, but sheltered place on firm ground for a few hours every day Make sure you bring them in at night Gradually increase the hours each day Continue until the last of the harsh weather has gone Plant your sunflowers in the ground.

A sunflower in need of a little support. Maturing Sunflowers Bending Over Now your sunflowers are growing fast and tall in their growing sites. A sunny bouquet How to Keep Cut Sunflowers from Drooping Not only do I love having sunflowers in my garden, I love having the bright blooms displayed in my home too. Cutting Your Own Sunflowers I always try and give the sunflowers I cut from my garden, to display in my home a good start to help them last as long as possible.

Choose a sunflower that is starting to open up or nearly bloomed Water your sunflower plants thoroughly early in the morning, at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting any bloom off. This will help prevent your cuttings from going into shock. Try and get your cuttings in the morning, a few hours after watering and before the full sun has dehydrated them again. Cut the stem the length you require at an angle. Sunflower stems are thick and need a lot of water, cutting at an angle gives a greater area for more water to draw up the stem.

Provide the potted sunflower with about six hours of sunlight each day. Morning sunlight or dappled sunlight throughout the day is ideal. Also, place the sunflower in an area with good air circulation, preferably where the daytime temperature is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Changing the plant's environment could give the sunflower the boost it needs to begin growing well. Water the sunflower more often than you have been if you allowed its soil to dry too much, the plant no longer grows well and its lower leaves yellow and drop. Water the sunflower's soil thoroughly, stopping when water seeps from the pot's drainage holes.

Avoid overwatering and rot by dumping the excess water that collects in the pot's drainage dish, and water the soil only when it feels dry when you touch it.