If you want your sunflowers to grow as tall and full as possible in time for summer then gardener have been advised to add these two key kitchen items to their flower food
Nothing shouts summer like sunflowers: these bold yellow blooms will quickly brighten up any garden. But if you want them to grow to their full potential, a flower expert has recommended adding two simple ingredients to their feed.
Sunflowers are native to the Americas and were believed to be first cultivated by native Americans in present-day New Mexico and Arizona in 3000 BC. They are also known by the name ‘helianthus’, which comes from Greek ‘helios’ and ‘anthus’, meaning ‘sun’ and ‘flower’ respectively.
However, their origins means that you may need to give them a little TLC when growing them in the UK. Britain isn’t famous for its summer weather, so these sun-loving plants might end up struggling.
READ MORE: Gardeners urged to plant 5 flowers that stop weeds from taking over
When sunflowers become nutrient deprived, it can lead to symptoms like yellowing of the lower leaves. It can also stunt their growth, leaving you with lacklustre blooms.
Fortunately, there is an easy fix. Simply adding two ingredients to your flower food can see stronger, more resilient blossoms that last as long as possible.
David Denyer from Eflorist advises: “Sunflowers are wonderfully resilient, but they can last even longer with this one trick: flower food. It nourishes the blooms and keeps bacteria at bay, extending their freshness.”
He continues: “Commercial flower food contains a mix of sugars and acids that help maintain water quality and feed the flowers. But if you don’t have any on hand, a simple homemade solution of water with a teaspoon of sugar and a tiny drop of bleach works just as well.
It might sound counterintuitive to add bleach to your flower food. However, this common cleaning agent won’t damage your flower in small amounts.
In actual fact, bleach is a fairly common ingredient in flower food recipes. This is because it helps kill off harmful bacteria that can otherwise spread disease.
David explains: “The sugar feeds the flower, while the bleach controls bacteria. With just a little extra care, your sunflowers can stay vibrant and beautiful for many more days.”
Sunflowers typically bloom for about three weeks during the summer. However, if taken care of properly, these magnificent flowers can last for a whole month.
An important factor that can help them last longer is keeping indoor sunflowers out of direct sunlight. This may also sound counterintuitive, however, direct sunlight coming through windows can be too harsh for your plant, resulting in premature wilting.