Growing sunflower "Solar Circle" in the garden

Optimal cleaning times

The time when sunflowers ripen is determined by the ripening of the fruits, the variety and weather conditions. Many varieties of sunflower are cultivated on agricultural lands in Russia. Among them, there are early maturing varieties SUR and Rodnik with an 80-day growing season and high oil content. The varieties are zoned twice in the southern regions: in May and at the height of the summer season.

Ripening sunflower

In ultra-early ripening varieties (Buzuluk, Yenisei, Cruise), the growing season lasts almost 3 months. The ripening period of the superearly (Cossack, Berezansky, Donskoy-60 and VNIIMK-88883) takes 80-86 days. The varieties grow well in bad weather conditions in the Volga region and in the south of the Urals.

On a note. The best harvesting period for sunflower varies from August 15th to the end of September, depending on the regions and the ripening time of the varieties.

Signs of seed ripening

On a note. It is important for farmers how to know when the sunflowers are ripe.

The main parameters of maturation seeds:

1. Humidity. Sunflower seeds are poured on the fortieth day after flowering at the onset of the phase of physiological ripeness. When the sunflowers ripen, the accumulation of useful elements stops, and the humidity decreases to 20%. The stage of economic maturity is approaching.
2. Ripening baskets. When sunflowers are cut, color indicates ripening. According to long-term studies, 70-80% of the baskets are brown and dry with a high yield and the rest are yellow. In addition, the moisture content of the fruit is 18-20%.

Sunflower maturity levels

Gardeners are interested in how to determine the ripeness of sunflowers. Experts record three degrees of ripening of plants:

1. Yellow, if the green baskets on the back become yellow-lemon, the seeds develop as much as possible and have a moisture content of 40%;
2. I am brown, if the basket and the foliage around it dry up and turn brown, the moisture content of the seeds is 10-14%;
3. Complete, if the culture dries out entirely, the moisture content of the seeds is 7-10%.

On a note. The presence of a small number of crops on the site signals a high yield and quality of seeds.

However, when the sunflowers are harvested, the harvesting is not very delayed. The stagnant sunflower threatens to reduce the yield to 7-8%. In addition, dry seeds are quickly poured, crushed when threshed, damage is caused by:

• winged;
• small rodents;
• proteins;
• parasites.

For the agricultural sector of the northern zones, the main problems are high air humidity and rainfall. The optimum moisture content of seeds for harvesting at 12-14% occurs in dry autumn conditions. As a rule, oilseeds are harvested at a seed moisture content of 18%, sometimes at 20-22%.

On a note. Timeliness of harvesting protects the matured baskets from rot: white and gray.

Harvesting times for regions, depending on climatic conditions, differ:

• for the Volga region and the Moscow region it is 8-10 days, they fall: in the third decade of August (20-27.08) - early varieties, from September 9 to 16 - mid-season varieties, from September 23 - late varieties;
• in Moldova and in the North Caucasus - within 5-7 days, starting from mid-August.

To meet these deadlines, preparatory events are organized:

The timing of sunflower harvesting affects the oil content of the crop

• repair cleaning equipment;
• preparing transport for transportation;
• rooms for cleaning and drying seeds.

The timing of sunflower harvesting affects the oil content of the crop. It is advisable to harvest sunflowers in the steppe zone if the plantings are distinguished by a small number of yellowish-brown baskets, and the remainder are brown.

Table of dependence of oil yield on sunflower harvest time

Sunflower Seed Selection

There are a huge number of sunflower species and their derivatives. When choosing a particular variety, one should be guided by the properties indicated on any package. Pay special attention to the desired plant growth, since their height varies from 30 cm to 4.6 m. You also need to keep in mind that it can grow as a single stem or in a pair of branches with flowers.

When choosing seeds, it is necessary to check that they are not fried and have a complete coating.

Preparation and planting of sunflower seeds

Before planting seeds in the ground, they are initially germinated at home. To do this, take a towel (preferably paper) and moisten until wet. Then visually divide it in half, put seeds on one part, and cover the other.

All this is placed in a plastic bag, which is stored in a warm room at t more than +10 ° C, periodically checked for the presence of sprouts and at the same time monitored the humidity of the towel. The growing period is 2 days.

If the seed has not germinated within 3 days, then using tweezers, remove the edge from the seed and leave it for a while.

However, you can do without germination, simply by lowering them into the ground, but the probability of germination will be much lower.

Before planting in the ground, the seeds, in order to avoid being eaten, are treated with a special agent against rodents, prepared with their own hands or purchased.

You can prepare the mixture yourself as follows: chop 100 g of garlic and mix with onion peel, add 2 liters of boiling water and leave for 24 hours. After that, strain the prepared mash and lower the prepared seeds into the resulting solution overnight.

All actions should be performed towards the end of spring.

Soil preparation for sunflower

The plant is not picky about the soil, however, they emit the most fertile and not very. The first include black soil, chestnut soils, loams with a pH of 5-6. The second type includes sandstones, as well as wetlands with a pH of 4 and below.

An excellent place will be the site where corn, cabbage, winter crops were grown before. Places after tomatoes and sugar beets are not suitable, since they will contain a lot of nitrogen, which has a negative effect on sunflowers.

However, you need to keep in mind the fact that where the sunflower grew, it is not recommended to plant it again for 7 years in order to give the soil time to recover. To do this, plant peas, beans, spring crops, which contribute to bringing the land back to normal.

In the autumn period, potash and phosphorus fertilizers (potassium sulfate, superphosphate) are added to the soil and everything is carefully dug up.

Soil features

The most suitable soils for growing sunflower are:

• sandy loam and loamy chernozems;
• chestnut and alluvial soils.

Areas for which these types of soils are most characteristic are distinguished by their specialization in sunflower production.

On a note! One of the main requirements for the soil is moisture, despite the resistance of this plant to droughts, and the absence of perennial weeds.

The lower limit of the soil temperature should be at least 8 degrees, and the distance between the plants should be more than 20 cm. The sunflower should be grown at an optimal temperature of 25-27 degrees. Going beyond these limits can lead to oppression and, ultimately, death of the plant.

Sunflower soil

Mr. Summer resident recommends: plant care

To get a good harvest, it is recommended to take proper care of the plant. A system of irrigation, soil loosening, and weed removal should be established. It is worth paying attention to the garter, because in a strong wind, the stem can break, and this risk will be eliminated.

Top dressing is important at all stages of development. The first time you need to feed the plant is 14 days after the sprouts appear with fertilizers containing nitrogen (for example, urea). This will contribute to the stable growth of the stem and leaves.

Then, after 14-21 days, another top dressing is performed using fertilizers containing potassium. This will make the caps full of seeds. If you overdo it with the introduction of nitrogen, during this period, then you can completely remain without seeds.

The next top dressing is done 21 days later, using phosphorus-containing fertilizers and mixing them with potassium fertilizers.

Watering rules

Particular attention should be paid to watering. The soil in which the seeds have been planted must remain moist until the sprouts appear. It is recommended to water a little at a distance from the plants themselves (7.5-10 cm), since they are still small and flimsy and thus exclude their leaching from the ground, and also stimulates the development of the root system.

As the annual grows, you can reduce the number of irrigations. When the roots and stem have already developed well, it will be enough to water once a week.

However, you should take into account the weather conditions: in the absence of rain for a long time, you need to increase watering.

Harvesting

Harvest readiness is determined by the moisture content of the seeds. There are 3 stages of ripeness:

• yellow;
• brown;
• ripe.

It is already possible to harvest on the brown grade (the moisture level will be 15-20%).

Applying the agrotechnical method of drying plants on the standing (desiccation), you can significantly accelerate the ripening process, as well as ensure its uniformity. This is done when the flowering period has already passed (seed moisture 30%).

The use of chemicals (desiccants) is recommended in sunny weather, temperatures ranging from +13 to +20 ° C in the morning or evening. You can harvest the crop after 10 days after this procedure.

The collected seeds with high humidity are dried and then cleaned from debris and damaged seeds.

If all the recommendations are followed and favorable conditions are created, it will not be difficult to grow this culture. It will not only become a magnificent decorative decoration in the country, but it can also please with the harvest.

We define the timing correctly

The ripening time of the fruits of any agricultural crop depends on its variety and natural conditions. Sunflower is no exception. Many early and late varieties and hybrids are grown in the fields of Russia and Ukraine.

Thus, the Rodnik and SUR varieties are distinguished by a short growing season - about 80 days and a high oil content. These varieties in the southern regions can be sown twice per season - in May and mid-July.

The early ripening varieties Yenisei, Buzuluk and Cruise have a growing season of about 90 days. Early ripening Kazachy, Donskoy-60, Berezansky and VNIIMK-88883 ripen in 80-86 days, they tolerate adverse weather conditions well and are suitable for growing in the South Urals and the Volga region.

The main indicator of the ripeness of seeds is their moisture, and they pay attention to it first of all before starting harvesting.

As a rule, sunflower seeds are poured 35-40 days after flowering, at which time their moisture reaches 40%, experts call this stage physiological ripeness. After that, the accumulation of nutrients is suspended, and then, after the humidity decreases to 20% and below, it stops completely. This is already a period of economic ripeness.

Loss of moisture is due to evaporation and depends on air humidity and winds. In areas with a hot and dry climate, moisture evaporates 2-3 weeks after physiological ripeness, and then the moisture content of the seeds is ideal for harvesting 12-14%. In regions with humid summers, this process takes up to 4-5 weeks, the humidity is higher - up to 18%.

Another criterion is the ripeness of the baskets. Their condition and color accurately indicate the moisture content and maturity of the seeds. Through many years of observations, it was found that the highest yield can be harvested when 70-80% of the baskets turn brown and dry, and the rest turn yellow. In this case, the moisture content of the seeds is 18-20%.

Experts define three degrees of ripeness of sunflower:

• yellow - when the reverse side of the basket turns from green into lemon-yellow, and the seeds reach their maximum development and have a moisture content within 40%;
• brown, when the basket and the leaves around it dry out and become brown, the moisture content of the seeds is 10-14%;
• full, when the plant dries out completely, and the moisture content of the seeds is at the level of 7-10%.

The fewer plants with yellow baskets in the field, the higher the yield and quality of seeds. But you should not delay too much with the harvest - if the sunflower grows old, the humidity will drop to 7-8%, and the yield will also suffer. This is especially important for dry steppe regions. In addition, dry seeds quickly crumble, crumble during threshing, significant damage is caused by birds, squirrels and small rodents.

The farmers of the northern regions have their own problems, one of them is high air humidity and frequent rains. The optimum moisture content of seeds for combine harvesting is 12-14% only if the autumn is dry. Usually, the harvesting of oilseeds here begins with a seed moisture content of about 18%, and sometimes at 20-22%. Timely cleaning is also important because it allows you to protect ripe baskets from white and gray rot.

Experts have established such harvesting periods for regions with different climatic conditions: in the Volga region, the Central Black Earth region and the forest-steppes of Ukraine, the crop must be harvested in 8-10 days, and in Moldova and in the North Caucasus - within 5-7 days.

To comply with these deadlines, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures - to bring the harvesting equipment, transport, premises for cleaning and drying seeds into working order.

Sunflower in the apartment

You can grow a sunflower in an apartment. It propagates by seeds, which need to be sown in open ground in early May, and indoors in early March. In indoor gardening, sunflowers are first grown for seedlings in seedling boxes. Sunflower seeds are pre-soaked in water for two days, and then germinated in a damp cloth.

You can often plant a sunflower in seedling boxes - at a distance of 10-12 cm from each other. The seeds are placed in holes 3-4 cm deep, poured with warm water, and sprinkled with soil, slightly compacting it. Germination can begin at a temperature of + 5 ° C, and the seedlings are not afraid of light frosts, therefore, the boxes with seeds can be kept on a sunny balcony before germination. After a month and a half, the plants can be planted in individual pots. A sunflower is a large plant, so you should immediately select the appropriate size pots. After 2-2.5 months after germination, flowering usually occurs, and then fruiting.

To obtain sunflower seeds, it requires more heat than a decorative one.And good lighting is a must for a plant.

Using

Currently, sunflower is used quite widely, and the areas of its use are quite diverse. Almost all parts of the plant go into action, providing valuable raw materials for animal husbandry, beekeeping, plant growing, and are also used in folk medicine, food industry, floriculture and landscape design.

Although the role of sunflower was less popular a few decades ago, recently there has been a "sunflower boom". Many amateur flower growers decorate their gardens and orchards in the "country" style, and they simply cannot do without such a spectacular and charming assistant as a sunflower. The peak of popularity of sunflower, perhaps, will be its use in interior design. In the apartment, the sunflower looks very impressive and unusual.

Description

Sunflowers are grown both on an industrial scale and in summer cottages. In addition to a good harvest, the plant gives the plot an additional flavor and can serve as a decorative function. The plant is unpretentious to care for and grows on almost any soil, which greatly simplifies the task of the gardener in growing a crop.

An annual plant can grow up to 3 m in height. On a tough, powerful stem, covered with small thorns, there are large dark green leaves. At the end of the trunk there is an inflorescence ranging in size from 15 to 45 cm in diameter. In the center of the receptacle there are numerous small flowers, and around the basket is decorated with a necklace of bright yellow petals.

Sunflowers tolerate drought and cold well, which is why they are grown almost all over the world. In addition, decorative varieties are used in landscape design to decorate flower beds and front gardens, and are also planted in pots as indoor plants.

Sunflower varieties

The sunflower familiar to everyone is represented by a wide variety of varieties, including hybrid ones, bred thanks to the successful work of breeders.

All sunflower varieties are divided into 4 groups:

Hybrid varieties allow for 15% more harvest than conventional crop varieties. The seeds can be eaten fresh or processed into oil.

One of the popular sunflower hybrids is Bogdan. Representatives of this variety grow on poor soils and do not require additional fertilization. The variety is resistant to drought, cold weather, and also tolerates a large amount of precipitation. The height of the trunk varies from 150 to 180 cm, and the diameter of the basket averages 18 cm. The seeds are large, with a high oil content. The ripening period is 118 days.

Variety "Antey" is a medium-sized representative of hybrids, the height of which does not exceed 175 cm. The diameter of the basket varies from 20 to 23 cm, the period of seed ripening is 111 days. The plant is resistant to diseases and shedding. Large kernels contain more than 50% oil.

The high-yielding Yang variety is resistant to disease and drought. The height of the stem is 170 cm, and the diameter of the basket is 25 cm. The seeds are large, ripen in 104 days and contain more than 50% oil.

Confectionery varieties of sunflower are grown for consumption fresh and fried. The most common among them is the nutcracker. The crop is disease resistant and drought tolerant. The kernels mature on average in 110 days. The oil content does not exceed 45%. The height of the stem reaches 2 m, and the diameter of the basket ranges from 18 to 25 cm.

The large-fruited variety "gourmet" up to 190 cm high has a convex basket with a diameter of 20 - 23 cm. The seeds contain up to 50% oil.

"Forward" is an oilseed hybrid variety with a ripening period of 105 days. The height of the stem does not exceed 185 cm, and the diameter of the basket averages 20 cm. The culture is resistant to diseases and pests. The kernels are striped and do not crumble when overripe.

Growing conditions

Sunflower seeds begin to germinate at an air temperature of 6 degrees Celsius.However, with such a temperature regime, the first shoots should be expected no earlier than 15-20 days. The most optimal temperature for growing sunflower is 20-25 degrees. Also, this plant is resistant to frost: it can endure subzero temperatures (up to -6 degrees Celsius).

The most optimal soils for sunflower growth include:

• black soil;
• gray forest soils;
• chestnut soils.

Sunflower cultivation is undesirable on acidic, saline and sandy soils. Also sunflower does not like clayey. The best precursors to sunflowers are corn, legumes, and wheat. Plants planted in the beds where sugar beets used to grow give poor yields. It is also undesirable to plant sunflower seeds for several years in a row in the country at the same place: it is advisable to take breaks of 3-4 years or change the planting location. This is due to the fact that the sunflower is extremely active in taking away the nutrients it needs for growth from the soil. In addition, this culture is susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, interruptions in planting a plant in the same bed will help get rid of pathogens remaining in the soil if the plant has suffered from them.

Planting a decorative sunflower

Planting of a decorative sunflower is carried out in sunny, well-lit areas, protected from the wind. The soil should be loose, well-drained, enriched with nutrients necessary for the growth of cultivated plants. If the soil is not fertilized before planting, the sunflower will draw out all the nutrients from it, and next year it will be possible to sow only green manure in this area in order to restore the supply of nutrients in the soil.

Sowing seeds

Seeds of decorative varieties are pre-soaked in a damp cloth or gauze. To enrich the seed with minerals, a solution is prepared from wood ash, in which the seeds are kept for 4 - 6 hours. To obtain a nutrient mixture, mix 2 tablespoons of ash and 1 liter of water. The resulting liquid is insisted for 2 days in a dark place.

Sowing in open ground is carried out in early May, when the soil has warmed up well and the threat of frost has passed. The seed is buried in the ground no more than 2 - 3 cm. The distance between the seeds should be 30 - 70 cm. Planting is carried out in moist soil, the seeds are covered with earth on top. It is not recommended to compact the soil in order to provide a normal access of oxygen to the seeds.

It is necessary to plant only sprouted seeds. Dry seed may not hatch in the soil.

Watering the seedlings is carried out regularly as the soil dries out. Prolonged drought can lead to the death of seeds, therefore, before the emergence of seedlings, you should constantly monitor the moisture content of the soil in the area. Crops do not need abundant watering, since a large amount of water can lead to rotting of seeds.

Follow-up care

Decorative varieties of sunflowers do not require special attention. All that flowers need is regular, timely watering and the absence of stagnant water in the soil. For better passage of moisture and air to the root system, the soil in the area with sunflowers is regularly loosened so that a crust does not form.

Sunflowers do not need feeding, especially if they grow on fertile soils. It is possible to apply mineral and organic fertilizers if neighboring plants are fed.

In areas with decorative varieties of sunflowers, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds. In dense thickets of weeds, pests can appear that affect the culture.

How to plant sunflowers in the country: choosing a site

Sunflower is a light-loving crop that requires maximum illumination of each part of the plant.A lack of light will have a detrimental effect on its development, decorative and productive qualities, therefore, thickening of the plantings should not be allowed, and a well-lit place for them is chosen. Since the sunflower is a thermophilic plant and feels great even under the scorching sun, a site that is under the daylight throughout the day is suitable. Plants planted in partial shade do not always have time to ripen. Before planting sunflowers in the country, it is advisable to provide protection from penetrating through winds.

The sunflower is picky about the soil on which it is to be grown. The best soils for it are neutral chernozems and fertile loams. Being a strong plant, it draws out the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil, the bulk of which is required by the crop even before flowering. Therefore, before planting a sunflower, you should fertilize the site thoroughly.

You should not plant a crop in places where legumes and nightshades were previously grown. The best predecessors are corn and grains. In addition, it must be remembered that planting sunflower for several seasons in a row in one area is undesirable; it is better to take a break for 3 years, since the plant is actively depleting the soil. During the rest period, the earth will also get rid of pathogenic microorganisms that are dangerous to the sunflower.

Planting sunflowers in pots

Sunflowers can be grown at home by the window just like other houseplants. At first glance, this task seems impossible due to the high growth of culture. But there are many decorative varieties that allow you to plant a sunflower in pots.

Choice of capacity

The planting container, which will be used for planting the sunflower, is chosen depending on the size of the adult plant. It is not recommended to plant sunflowers in pots with a small radius; for dwarf varieties, containers with a diameter of 35 - 40 cm are suitable, respectively, for larger varieties, you need to choose a larger size. For sowing seeds for seedlings, you can use boxes. Planting of giant varieties is carried out in containers with a volume of 15 - 18 liters.

The material from which the landing container is made can be anything. Most often, the plant is planted in plastic flower pots. There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the container to drain excess moisture during watering.

The container must be disinfected before planting. To do this, an empty pot is treated with boiling water before placing the soil in it.

Soil selection

Normal growth and development of the plant ensures the correct choice of soil. For planting ornamental sunflower varieties, loose, well-drained soil with a supply of essential nutrients is needed.

You can buy ready-made potting soil at a flower shop. This soil has already been enriched with the necessary mineral and organic components, as well as disinfected.

For self-preparation of the mixture, you will need garden soil, peat and compost, taken in equal proportions. Before planting, the soil is disinfected in an oven at a temperature of + 150 ... + 200 degrees or plentifully spilled with boiling water.

At the bottom of the planting container, a drainage layer of perlite, expanded clay or pebbles with a thickness of 2 - 3 cm is laid out.Then the container is filled with prepared soil mixture, leaving 2.5 - 3 cm from the edge.

Before sowing, the soil is watered and the seeds are buried by 2.5 - 3 cm. Two seeds are placed in a pot intended for planting one seedling, since one may not germinate. If sowing is carried out in large boxes, you can arrange the seed in pairs at a distance of 5 - 7 cm from each other. After the seedlings have grown and grown strong, they are transplanted into separate pots.

Seedlings require regular, frequent watering. It is necessary to constantly maintain the moisture of the soil, but not to allow it to block.

Seeds germinate in 5 to 8 days.If seedlings do not appear after two weeks, then the seeds have died.

Care rules

Before the plant reaches 30 cm in height, you need to constantly keep the soil moist with regular watering. The container with seedlings should be placed in a well-lit place so that the sunflower has access to sunlight throughout the day. In an apartment, it is undesirable to place a pot on a windowsill, since the air temperature near the windows differs from room temperature. You can take out the seedlings to the balcony or loggia during the warm season.

Sunflowers generally do not need feeding. They have enough nutrients contained in the soil. Fertilizers are applied in order to prolong flowering and strengthen the vitality of the plant during the period of bud formation.

Blooming underflowers are tied to a support as needed so that the plant does not lean under the weight of the basket. To do this, you need to dig a bamboo stick or a peg into the pot in order to raise the flower head up.

Care and cultivation

If a decorative sunflower grows on a bed with a lot of sun, then it does not need additional feeding. But if the plants are in a pot and are in the house, then the flower needs constant feeding with special fertilizers. The sunflower is a plant that blooms quite profusely.

Ornamental sunflower is an unpretentious annual. Dwarf varieties do not need support. Seedlings are grown independently from seeds; they can also be purchased in special stores. Grows best in peat.

Watering and feeding

Sunflowers need abundant watering, but the pot should not be in the water. When growing a plant in small containers it is necessary to use complex fertilizers. If a flower grows in a balcony boxthen it is best to use special granules.

It is best to use special granules for feeding sunflower.

Seat selection

As the name suggests, the sunflower loves the sun, but it can also withstand light shading. If the sunflower grows outside the house, then in windy weather it often falls. To avoid this, it is necessary to install reliable supports.

Planting in the garden

Planting a sunflower in the garden does not require much effort from a summer resident. The culture is unpretentious in care, it tolerates drought and small soil frosts (up to -5 degrees) well. To get a good harvest of seeds, you need to follow the simple rules of planting and subsequent care of the plant.

The sunflower is planted in areas well-lit by the sun, protected from the constant influence of the wind. The plant is undemanding to the soil, but for good growth it is better to plant the crop on fertile, slightly acidic soils. It is not recommended to plant in areas where legumes, beets and tomatoes were previously grown. After them, the soil is abundantly saturated with nitrogen, which sunflowers do not like very much. The place in the garden should be changed annually so that the soil can recover.

Seed preparation and planting

Before sowing, the seeds are soaked and treated with special preparations that can be purchased at a flower shop, or with an infusion of garlic with onion peels. To prepare you need to take:

• 100 g crushed garlic;
• 20 - 30 g of onion husks;
• 2 liters of boiling water.

The mixture is infused for 24 hours, filtered through cheesecloth and the seeds are soaked in it 10 - 12 hours before planting. This treatment scares away rodents and insects that destroy seeds in the soil.

Sowing is carried out when the soil has warmed up to a temperature of + 10 ... + 12 degrees, at the end of April - at the beginning of May. The seeds are planted in holes or grooves, which are pre-moistened, to a depth of 5 - 8 cm. 2 - 3 seeds are placed in each planting hole. The distance between tall plants should be at least 70 cm; for low-growing varieties, a distance of 50 cm is observed.

How to care?

Even unpretentious crops need high-quality care in order to subsequently get a good harvest.The sunflower needs abundant and regular watering, especially during dry periods. It is especially important to irrigate the area before germination so that the seeds have enough moisture to germinate. The frequency of watering depends on the drying out of the soil. In severe drought, several irrigations per day may be required. You need to introduce water at the root so as not to wet the leaves. It is advisable to carry out the procedure early in the morning or in the evening.

The garter of sunflowers is carried out so that the plant does not break under the weight of the basket. Tall varieties can bend low to the ground, causing stem breakage and death of the seedling. If the culture is planted in a place protected from the wind, tying can be omitted.

Sunflower grows well without additional feeding. If the soil is oversaturated with nitrogen, the crop can be exposed to disease and pest attacks. For normal plant growth, you can fertilize the soil with potassium and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. After carrying out such dressings, the bees pollinate the plants better, and the seeds are formed full and large.

The first top dressing is carried out during sowing, and the subsequent ones - after watering in moist soil. It is recommended to apply fertilizers together with water, as they are better absorbed than granules.

In an area with sunflowers, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil so that moisture and oxygen better flow to the roots.

Cleaning

Sunflower diseases

On a note. Sunflower harvesting is carried out at the stage of economic ripeness when the number of unripe yellow baskets is within 12%, the rest are dry. Finish harvesting plants in a week.

12-14% humidity signals the start of harvesting in regions with hot climates. In areas with an unfavorable climate, the process is delayed up to a month, the humidity reaches 18%. The total loss of sunflower does not exceed 3%, however, it is possible if harvesting is not timely. Delaying deadlines doubles the loss of self-sleep.

The yield of oilseeds is determined by:

• hybrid or variety;
• climatic zone;
• the weather;
• type of soil.

1 hectare yields a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 40 centners of seeds. However, the average indicator in the agricultural sector, for example, in the Krasnodar Territory, is 26.4 c / ha. The sunflower yield parameter differs by region:

Harvesting occurs in the first ten days of August

• 35 c / ha - Bryansk region;
• 12.8 centners / ha - Samara region;
• 10.9 c / ha - Altai Territory;
• 21.1 centners / ha - Rostov region;
• 10.4 c / ha - Orenburg region;
• 13.3 c / ha - Volgograd region.

Attention! Experts say that the yield of sunflower in the whole of the Russian Federation is decreasing in relation to the indicators of past years.

Negative dynamics can be seen due to the cultivation of oilseeds in areas with an unfavorable climate without the use of zoned varieties.

Harvesting occurs in the first ten days of August and ends at the end of November, before snow falls. The time depends on the variety. Some farmers start harvesting sunflowers before the onset of winter due to the optimal moisture content of the seeds and good keeping quality. It is important to monitor the appearance of mold, which gives an unattractive aroma and acidity.

Features of agricultural technology for harvesting oilseeds:

• loss of seeds does not exceed 2.5%;
• stubble height - 20 cm;
• in the course of threshing baskets and cleaning seeds on the separating working bodies, the number of injured individuals is limited to 1.5%;
• crumbling and collapse of grain during threshing into seeds - maximum 1%;
• clean heap in the bunker - 95%.

On a note. The difficulty of harvesting raw materials is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the culture.

The sunflower has a high stem, which often grows up to 230 cm and gives rise to the need to process the plant mass up to 120 kg / ha with different moisture levels.

When sunflowers are plucked, it is difficult to establish with certainty until the day.They are harvested at a moisture content of 14% in a semi-baked state and stored in a warehouse with a grain thrower. Wait 1 or 2 months, when the seeds themselves peel off.

The methods of harvesting sunflowers in the fields include both mechanical and manual ones. In the first case, a grain harvester equipped with a special header is used.

Manual structures for cleaning

Sunflower harvesting is carried out at the stage of economic ripeness

On a note. In the absence of an opportunity to use specialized equipment at the dacha, gardeners use hand tools for harvesting.

The principle of operation of the device, how to get seeds from a sunflower, consists in striking the cap and knocking out the seeds. Variations of handheaders are popular among summer residents:

1. Skewer. Suitable for farmers who are engaged in the cultivation of sunflower on a massive scale - for oil to get benefits. The spit is used on 10-20 acres of the vegetable garden. The mechanism will need a 200-liter metal barrel and a welding machine. Inside the container, sills are welded for contact with the sunflower when the apparatus is scrolled. Holes are made on the sides of the barrel for pouring seeds. The hats are put into the barrel and the device is scrolled. The device works effectively when dry crops and 6% relative humidity are harvested. Grain saturated with moisture is hardly knocked out. Individual farmers make a fire under the barrel or place ten. Thus, it is possible to get roasted or dried seeds.
2. Stool leg. An effective tool for a garden bed where a couple of dozen crops grow. Such a "reaper" does not require spending, it can be easily prepared by everyone or found in the barn. The stool leg has the required mass and shape for striking the sunflower head. There are 2 methods to harvest. A bag is pulled over the sunflower's cap and blows are applied. 10-15 manipulations are enough for the seeds to be in the bag. Another method involves pruning the sunflower hats in one place, then knocking out the seeds while sitting. The method is suitable for those who wish to conveniently and simply collect seeds.
3. Polyethylene. Some summer residents prefer the old-fashioned methods - stick and oilcloth. Similar to the previous trick, but deals with 15-20 cultures. Spread plastic wrap on both sides of the row. The summer resident walks through and knocks out the heads. The device is moved further along the length of the row and the procedure is repeated. The seeds are picked up and poured into the dishes.
4. Bag. The crop heads are trimmed and placed in a large polyethylene bag. When filling the bag, knock out at least 5 minutes with a stick (shovel holder). Then they untie the bag and take out the empty hats. To get rid of debris, raw materials are blown under a fan.

Storage

On a note. Harvested seeds are capricious to storage conditions. Their high humidity is the root cause of self-heating and the development of microbes after two hours in a mass that is left unattended. The phenomenon is very dangerous if it is hot outside and the seeds are clogged.

The shelf life of raw materials during storage is determined by the integrity of the coating. Damaged seeds lose their mechanical protection against the penetration of microorganisms. Its presence in the mash is noticeably weakened by a weed impurity, which is more hygroscopic than seeds.

Summer residents are interested in how you can save sunflowers after cutting. The bookmark for long-term storage of sunflower depends on the weediness, which is a maximum of 2%. The raw material is dried and cooled to a temperature of no more than + 10 ° C. Shelf life is 6 months.

Seeds are stored:

Harvested seeds are capricious to storage conditions

• creating a mound up to 1 m, with a seed moisture content of 7-8%;
• in bags, forming 6 tiers, with 10% maximum humidity;
• in ventilated barns after preliminary cleaning and good drying.

On a note. When sunflower seeds are damaged by white or gray rot, they are harvested early and must be heat treated to dry the material.

Storage of 99% peeled seeds with a moisture content of 7% is carried out in a dry place. Storage conditions: relative air humidity - 60%, minimum temperature - 25 ° С. You can not store seeds for a long time in an unsuitable room due to hygroscopicity and oil oxidation.

Diseases and pests of sunflowers

Sunflower is considered one of the most disease and pest resistant crops. Most often, seed-eating birds cause harm to plantings.

Among the insects that infect sunflowers, the cotton scoop is distinguished, which feeds on leaves and flowers. As a result of the activity of the pest, the plant weakens and becomes more susceptible to disease. Regular weeding and destruction of weeds on the site help prevent the appearance of the parasite. Weeds are not recommended to be left on the beds. Treating plants with insecticides can get rid of the butterfly. Spraying must be carried out no later than a month before harvesting.

The moth lays its eggs in sunflower baskets, as a result of which the hatched caterpillars gnaw holes in the seed shell and eat away their contents. The gardener, who annually grows sunflowers on the site, is well aware of this parasite. Treating the plant with insecticides helps to fight the insect. Most hybrid sunflower varieties have a hard seed coat that the pest cannot gnaw.

Among the diseases that can affect sunflowers, white rot is distinguished. On the root collar and stem, brown rotting spots are formed, covered with a white fluffy bloom. Affected plants must be removed from the site, and the plantings must be treated with Bordeaux liquid.

Gray rot spreads to all organs, as a result of which yellowish spots form on the plant, which subsequently turn brown and lead to wilting of the sunflower. Ashy rotting spots appear on the back of the baskets. The destruction of affected plants and the treatment of plantings with fungicides helps to fight the disease.

Phomopsis is manifested by the presence of gray spots on the lower leaves of a sunflower, which spread from the petioles to the stem. As a result, tissue softening occurs, the trunk becomes weak and brittle. In the affected baskets, empty seeds are formed.

Timely cleaning of plant residues from the site, weeding and regular watering of the plant helps to prevent the development of sunflower diseases.

How to properly grow sunflowers in order to harvest a rich harvest is described in the next video.

What do you need

• Sunflower seeds from the nursery in bags with a stamp. Note, you can try to grow a plant with supermarket sunflower seeds, but you are not sure which variety it will be and they may simply not come up. Do not try to germinate seeds without hulls, as removing them will expose the seed for air and light, and of course do not try to grow a sunflower from roasted and salted seeds.
• Water
• An earthen pot or other suitable round container (minimum pot diameter is 30 cm or more if growing more seeds) or window or balcony box, milk crate, half barrel, etc., preferably all containers wide.
• The soil
• Over-matured compost for food
• Place stones on the bottom to improve drainage.

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Categories: Gardens and vegetable gardens

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English: Grow a Sunflower in a Pot, Español: cultivar un girasol en una maceta, Italiano: Coltivare un Girasole in un Vaso, Português: Cultivar um Girassol em um Vaso, Deutsch: Sonnenblumen als Topfpflanzen ziehen, Français: en cultiver un tournesol , Bahasa Indonesia: Menanam Bunga Matahari di Pot, Nederlands: Een zonnebloem in een pot kweken, العربية: زراعة عباد الشمس في إناء, Tiếng Việt: Trồng ng dương ươ t

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How to grow a sunflower in the country, planting and care

To date, more than 60 varieties and hybrids of the oil-bearing form of sunflower have been bred. The culture is an excellent honey plant, it is not demanding in care, it can withstand frosts up to minus 5 degrees Celsius.

Preparation and planting of sunflower seeds

In order for the harvest of oilseed sunflower not to disappoint, you need to responsibly approach the choice of the site, select and prepare high-quality seeds, and also observe the planting rules, which are not complicated, but necessary to get a good harvest.

Selection and processing of a plot for sunflower

Sunflower grows on any soil, but gives a good harvest on slightly acidic loams, black soil, chestnut soils. Wetlands with high acidity, as well as sandstones for productive cultivation "for yield" are not suitable.

Sowing sunflowers after sugar beets and tomatoes is not recommended. In these areas, the soil contains a large amount of nitrogen, and the culture does not like it. This fact must be taken into account when applying fertilizers. A field previously sown with winter cereals, corn, cabbage is better suited.

Sunflower quickly depletes the soil and cannot be grown in one place for two years in a row.

Also, keep in mind that after sunflower, the land requires restoration, and is not suitable for almost all garden crops. After it, the soil needs to be fertilized and planting spring grains, peas or beans - they will help to quickly restore the depleted soil. You can return to sowing sunflower in one area only after 7 years.

In the fall, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied to the site: superphosphate, potassium sulfate. After that, the soil is deeply dug so that there is no subsoil and compacted soil areas at the root level.

Preparing seeds for planting

Sunflower is prone to over-pollination, so it is not worth sowing the seeds of the previous harvest. Better to get them in a specialty store. Before sowing, the planting material is calibrated and etched.

Calibration is carried out with a sieve, leaving only the largest specimens. Also, the seeds are checked for grain volume, or "for completeness" - they are dipped in a saline solution (a teaspoon of salt per liter of water) and only those that have sunk to the bottom of the container within 10 minutes are used.

Preparing sunflower seeds for planting

Growing sunflowers requires treating the seeds before planting, as pests like to profit from them. Chemicals are used: Prestige, Agrovital, Commander.

You can prepare a folk remedy for dressing sunflower seeds from 100 g of twisted garlic and onion husks. The components are poured overnight with two liters of boiling water, filtered in the morning and the seeds are immersed in the solution for 12 hours. This method is more humane and safe for birds and animals.

Sunflower planting

Seeds are sown in May, when the soil warms up to 8 degrees Celsius. On the site, holes are made with a hoe, 5-7 cm deep. The greater the distance between the holes, the larger the caps will grow. The recommended landing step is 50 cm.

The first shoots of sunflower

2-3 seeds are dipped into each hole and sprinkled with earth. At the same time, the soil must be moist.

Sunflower growing technology

Seedlings appear in 10 days. From this time on, it is necessary to regularly water the sunflower. The root system and the aboveground part of the plant are rather large, and they consume a lot of moisture. The culture does not tolerate the neighborhood with weeds, so regular weeding is required.

Sunflower seedlings are fed in the phase of 2-3 leaves

In the phase of 2-3 leaves, it is necessary to feed the sunflower with Azofoskaya 40 g and urea 20 g - per 10 liters of water. Fertilizers are applied after preliminary watering.

With the beginning of the formation of seed pods, potassium fertilizers (potassium sulfate or chloride) are applied. This contributes to an increase in the level of drought resistance of the plant, the formation of large seeds and an increase in their oiliness.

From the conception of hemicarps to flowering, the need for moisture in sunflower doubles. Therefore, the rate and frequency of watering during this period is increased.

Fight against sunflower diseases

Before growing a sunflower in the country, it is necessary to prepare for its protection from many diseases and pests, since the crop yield often suffers precisely because of them. Of the fungal diseases, the most dangerous are: downy mildew, phomosis, rust, phomopsis, white rot.

They infect leaves and seed pods. Sunflowers affected by mushrooms are lagging behind in development, the caps do not develop. The first signs of most diseases can be seen in the 2-3 leaf phase, but the main symptoms appear later. To combat diseases, plantings are sprayed before flowering with Mikosan-V, Fitosporin, Trichodermin preparations.

Sunflower is often affected by broomrape (Latin Orobanche) - a parasitic plant that settles on the roots of a culture. It has no roots or foliage and feeds on the sunflower.

Sunflower broomstick feeds on crop juice

During the growing season, broomrape forms about 100 thousand seeds, which remain viable in the soil for up to 15 years. Seeds germinate only in the presence of a host plant. There are no drugs against the parasite, so you should choose resistant varieties, and also observe crop rotation.

Sunflower pests and control

Many pests love to feast on oilseeds. The most common sunflower firefly (Latin Homoeosoma nebulella). She lays eggs in the basket at the stage of its formation, and later the larvae hatch and gnaw out the seed kernels. Pests are also common: southern weevil, wireworm, sunflower barbel, barbel.

Moth larva on sunflower

To reduce the likelihood of insect damage will help: seed dressing before planting, timely removal of weeds, compliance with crop rotation. If pests are found, plantings are treated with insecticides - Taran, Desikant, Aktellik.

Birds can cause great harm to the crop. To scare them away, bright multi-colored ribbons are tied near the sunflower hats. They also use tinsel or old computer disks. Often, summer residents install a scarecrow on the site.

Sunflower protection from birds

Wrapping the heads with breathable fabric, such as gauze, will help protect the seeds from birds and pests. This should be done only after pollination and left in this form until the seeds are fully ripe.

Sunflower harvesting

Sunflower harvesting begins in August. By this time, the heads tilt to the ground, the extreme petals dry out and crumble, the seeds become black in color.

Ripening the seeds become heavier, and the sunflower's head sinks

Ripe caps are cut off and, if necessary, put to dry (1-2 days). Remove the seeds over the spread cloth. The heads rub against each other until all the seeds fall out.

Seeds are dried in the shade by sprinkling them on a substrate in one layer. After waiting for windy weather, the seeds are sifted. To do this, they are taken out to an open area, taken into any container and poured back from a height of human growth, thereby removing weed particles.

Sunflower head ripe for harvest

Store sunflower seeds in a dry room in hermetically sealed containers or in bags made of non-woven material.