Download sunflowers! - Tucson Botanical Garden

SUNFLOWERS!
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a favorite plant for
Mexicans. The plant is native to the New World and
archaeologists have found evidence that ancient Mexican
cultures used sunflowers for both decoration and food.
Today Mexicans still adorn churches and altars with the
flowers, and the seeds are enjoyed as a tasty snack.
Sunflowers are also a garden favorite
For bird lovers. The small “black-oil
sunflower seeds” are loved by many
backyard birds, cardinals in particular.
Striped sunflower seeds have larger,
thicker shells and only birds with powerful beaks are
physically able to crack open these seeds.
If you decide to grow a sunflower in
your yard, consider using it as a
birdfeeder once the blooms are
gone. Hang the head on a tree
branch and watch the birds come!
PLANT A SUNFLOWER!
Sunflowers grow easily from seed. To plant one of
these mammoth sunflowers to take home with you:
1. Find soil and cans or pots on or nearby the
table.
2. Fill the container to about 1 inch from the top.
3. Poke a hole about twice as deep as the width of
the seed --about 1 ½ inch deep.
4. Place ONE seed in the hole and cover with
soil. Mammoth sunflowers are large plants that
can grow 10 ft. tall. They require a lot of space,
so more seeds in the pot will result in spindly
seedlings.
5. You can wait to water until you get home. Then
keep soil moist until the seeds sprout in about 12 weeks. Once the plant has grown two sets of
real leaves (the first set are ‘seed leaves’ and
don’t count), transplant to soil or a very big pot.
Place in a sunny spot and water regularly!