The Essential Guide To The Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Common Name: Sunflower
General Knowledge: The sunflower, with its bright and cheery countenance, traces its origins back to North America, where it was first domesticated by Indigenous peoples. In Australia, sunflowers are cultivated not only for their bold aesthetic in gardens and floral arrangements but also agriculturally for their seeds, which yield oil and are enjoyed as a healthy snack. A delightful fact about sunflowers is that they exhibit heliotropism as young buds, meaning they turn their heads to follow the sun's movement across the sky, a trait that has captured the imagination of many throughout history.
Colour Range: While the most common colour is yellow, sunflowers also come in shades of pale white to deep red.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Sunflowers typically bloom in Australia from late spring through early summer, usually between October to January, with a blooming season lasting about two months. However, thanks to greenhouse production, their flowering season extends to almost the entire year.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Due to their near year-round accessibility and vibrant colour, sunflowers are readily available for weddings and events at any time.
Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, sunflowers are cultivated both in natural environments and greenhouses.
Buying Tips: Purchase sunflowers when they are half to fully open. Seek strong, straight stems that show no signs of damage.
Design Tips and Advice: Sunflowers have a rustic charm and can add a cheerful, natural aesthetic to any setting. They are often used in bouquets, centrepieces, or as standalone arrangements. Their large, bold blooms make a statement and pair well with other summer and autumn flowers.
Flower Maturity: Purchase sunflowers when the petals are still fresh, and the buds are only partially opened to enjoy them for longer.
Expected Vase Life: Typically, sunflowers last between 7 to 10 days in a vase.
Typical Stem Length: Ranging from 50 cm to 120 cm.
Typical Bunch Size: Usually sold in bunches of 5 stems.
Floral Preservatives: Use floral preservatives such as Chrysal Floral Preservative and Floralife Crystal Clear to extend the vase life of cut sunflowers, ensuring they receive adequate water and nutrients.
Ethylene Sensitivity: They do have sensitivity to ethylene, though the degree can vary with the cultivar.
Temperature Requirements: Sunflowers can be stored at 2-4 °C up to 5 days, if not being stored they prefer warmer temperatures.
How to Avoid Potential Problems: To ensure longevity, strip the lower leaves, as they tend to wilt and dry first. Sunflower stems are susceptible to air embolisms; thus, it's vital to recut the stems and place them in fresh water with the appropriate amount of flower food.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: If needed, store sunflowers in a cool room to slow down their opening process, but not too cold as they prefer warmer temperatures.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Keep sunflowers well-hydrated by placing them in fresh, clean water with floral preservatives.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: While sunflowers aren’t notably ethylene sensitive, keeping them away from fruits and vegetables that emit ethylene gas can help maintain their freshness.