Damon Mcknight
Sunflowers are a bright and cheerful addition to any garden, and they're surprisingly easy to grow in Australia. You can even grow them indoors in a pot if you're short on space. Sunflowers are hardy flowers that can grow in various soil types, but they thrive in fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of mulch and consistent moisture levels. They also need full sun and occasional but deep watering, especially during their early growth stages. To grow sunflowers, you should sow seeds directly in the garden about 10mm deep and ensure they have enough space to grow, with a recommended plant spacing of 15-35 cm. With the right care, you can expect a burst of colour when your sunflowers bloom, lasting up to 10 weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil type | Well-drained, fertile, moist with plenty of mulch |
| Soil temperature | 10°C-30°C |
| Sowing depth | 3x the seed diameter, approximately 10mm |
| Spacing between plants | 15-35cm |
| Row spacing | At least 2m |
| Watering | Regular deep watering, especially during early growth stages |
| Staking | Required for giant sunflowers and thick-stemmed varieties |
| Fertiliser | Use sparingly, slow-release fertiliser with trace minerals |
| Harvest time | 10-11 weeks |
| Seed harvest | When flower heads droop and the back turns yellow |
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What You'll Learn
Sunflowers can be grown in pots indoors
Soil and Fertiliser
Sunflowers grow best in fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of mulch. While they can tolerate poor soil, including clay or sandy soil, it is advisable to use a premium-grade potting mix when growing them in containers. Ensure the soil is moist, not too wet or too dry, especially during the early growth stages. Once established, sunflowers are relatively drought-tolerant but appreciate regular deep watering.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders, so it is recommended to add a slow-release fertiliser containing trace minerals. You can also add organic matter such as compost or aged animal manure to boost the growth and size of the flower.
Seeds and Spacing
Sunflower seeds should be sown directly in the pot at a depth of approximately three times the diameter of the seed, which is usually around 10 mm deep. The seeds do not need to be soaked or stratified before sowing. Keep the soil warm, between 21-29°C, for germination, which usually takes 7-14 days.
If you wish to grow sunflowers with smaller flowers, allow for a plant spacing of 15 cm. For larger flowers, increase the spacing to 35 cm. The spacing will impact the size of the flowers, with tighter spacing producing smaller flowers ideal for mixed bouquets.
Support and Protection
Tall sunflower varieties with sizeable flower heads may require support to prevent them from toppling over. You can use stakes, a trellis, or bamboo stakes to provide support, and twine to tie the plant as it grows. Cover the flower heads with netting when they are nearly ready for harvest to protect them from birds.
Harvesting
Sunflowers usually take about 90 days to harvest. To collect the seeds, trim the spent sunflower blooms and hang the flower heads upside down in a cool, dry place. Once the seeds are dry, you can remove them by lightly tapping the flower head. Place the flower head in a large container and tap the sides to dislodge the seeds.
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Sow seeds directly in the garden
Sunflowers are surprisingly easy to grow in Australia, and you can sow their seeds directly in your garden. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Prepare the Soil:
Sunflowers grow best in fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of mulch. Ensure the soil temperature is between 10°C and 30°C, or ideally between 21°C and 29°C for germination. You can add a slow-release fertiliser containing trace minerals to boost the growth and size of your sunflowers. Additionally, mix in organic matter like compost or aged animal manure to provide extra nutrients.
Spacing and Planting:
Allow for a plant spacing of 15 to 35 cm, depending on the desired flower size. Wider spacing will result in larger flowers, while tighter spacing will yield smaller flowers with thinner stems, perfect for bouquets. The row spacing should be at least 2 metres.
Sow the seeds directly into your prepared garden beds. Plant the seeds at a depth of approximately 10 mm, or about three times the diameter of the seed.
Care and Maintenance:
Sunflowers require occasional but deep and thorough watering. Water them regularly during the early growth stages. Once established, they can tolerate drought conditions, but consistent soil moisture is ideal. The best times to water are early morning and late afternoon to reduce evaporation.
Protect the seedlings from harsh conditions and pests until they are established. Sunflowers are susceptible to various threats, including fungi and pests like wireworms, Rutherglen bugs, and helicoverpa. Keep an eye out for these and take preventive measures as necessary.
Support and Harvesting:
For tall sunflower varieties, provide support with stakes, a trellis, or bamboo stakes to prevent them from toppling over. Cover the flower heads with netting when they are nearly ready for harvest to protect them from birds. Harvest the seeds when the flower heads droop and the back of the head turns yellow.
With these steps, you'll be well on your way to growing a beautiful and vibrant sunflower garden in Australia!
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Watering and fertiliser requirements
Sunflowers require occasional but deep and thorough watering. While established sunflowers are relatively drought-tolerant, they grow best when the soil moisture level is consistent. The optimum times for watering are early morning and late afternoon, as this reduces evaporation from the day's heat.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders and deplete the soil, so it is recommended to add a slow-release fertiliser containing trace minerals. Additionally, adding organic matter such as compost or aged animal manure will boost the growth and size of the flower.
When planting, ensure the crop can access sufficient soil moisture and nitrogen to achieve the target yield. Excess nitrogen applications can reduce the oil content percentage of the seed. Use paddock records and soil tests to determine if other nutrients, such as phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium, are lacking.
Sunflowers can be sown as an opportunity crop following a winter cereal if there is adequate sub-soil moisture. However, consider disease management strategies to limit the risk of planting into a reservoir of pathogen inoculum.
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Best time to plant in Australia
Sunflowers can be grown in most regions of Australia and are surprisingly easy to grow. They are an edible flower and oilseed crop, producing sunflower oil, birdseed, edible kernels, snacks, and confectionery.
The best time to plant sunflowers in Australia is in spring or summer. In NSW, Victoria, and southern Queensland, birdseed sunflower hybrids are better suited to sowing in summer. Avoid sowing summer crops too late, as cooler conditions later in the growing season can favour the development of diseases. Sunflowers grow best in fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of mulch. The optimum soil temperature for germination is between 21°C and 30°C, and seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
Sunflowers can be sown as an opportunity crop following a winter cereal, provided there is adequate sub-soil moisture. They do not like to be transplanted, so it is best to sow seeds directly into the garden at a depth of approximately 10 mm. If you are short on space, sunflowers can also be grown indoors in a pot or container.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders and deplete the soil, so it is recommended to add a slow-release fertiliser containing trace minerals. Add organic matter such as compost or aged animal manure to boost the growth and size of the flower.
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Protecting sunflowers from pests
Sunflowers are attractive plants that are surprisingly easy to grow. However, they may be plagued by a number of insect pests, birds, and squirrels. The first step in good pest management is identifying when sunflower crops are susceptible to pests.
The major pests of sunflowers in the reproductive stage are Rutherglen bugs and Helicoverpa spp. The green vegetable bug is a minor pest. Rutherglen bugs reduce sunflower yield and oil content by sucking the developing seed, which reduces seed weight and changes oil composition. The critical times to monitor Rutherglen bug populations are at budding and seed fill. Moisture stress will exacerbate the effects of Rutherglen bug damage.
Helicoverpa cause damage from late budding until late seed-fill by leaf feeding and feeding on the stem during budding. Sunflowers can tolerate large numbers of Helicoverpa caterpillars. There is no significant yield reduction from Helicoverpa feeding on leaves, seeds, or florets in the absence of secondary head rots. At budding, more than four 7mm-long larvae per head is the threshold for spraying. The most effective pesticides are synthetic pyrethroids, which have a 3-5 day residual effect and severely disrupt natural predator populations.
Other common pests include brown cutworms, wireworms, false wireworms, and brown field crickets. Homoeosoma electellum can also be a serious pest of cultivated sunflowers. The adult moths resemble small, light brown-grey cigars, and the larvae are brown with longitudinal white stripes. The adults are mostly nocturnal, resting under the leaves during the day, and they lay their eggs on the flower heads. Larvae feeding damage increases the risk of infection by Rhizopus fungi, which will rot the flower heads.
To protect your sunflowers from birds and squirrels, cover the seed heads with nets or paper bags when they are ripening.
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Frequently asked questions
Sunflowers are easy to grow in Australia. You can grow them in a pot indoors or outdoors in your garden. Sow the seeds directly in the garden 10mm deep, ensuring the soil is moist and well-drained. The seeds will germinate in 7-14 days when the soil is 21-30°C. Plant taller varieties with spacing to allow for growth, and consider providing support with stakes or a trellis.
Sunflowers are suited to both spring and summer planting in most regions of Australia. In tropical areas, sunflowers may not reach their full potential as they need long days to grow. Avoid sowing summer crops too late, as cooler conditions can favour the development of diseases.
When the flower heads droop and the back of the head turns yellow, it is time to harvest the seeds. Remove the heads and let them dry for a few weeks before extracting the seeds. You can also hang the flower heads upside down in a cool, dry place until the seeds can be removed with light tapping.
