Extension Communications Extension 4-H Youth Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

8/19/04

Contacts:
Joy Middleton, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, jmiddle@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Reiman's Pick for the Week of August 16, 2004

The Sunflower is a Fun Flower

By Joy Middleton,
Youth Education Intern
Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University

This week's Reiman's Pick, the sunflower, is rich in history, unique in character, and fast growing. It's an ideal plant to teach children the wonders and joys of gardening. Sunflowers are perfect for youth because small hands can easily handle the large seeds and the plant grows quickly, completing its life cycle in a few short months.
Sunflowers are native to North America. In fact, evidence found at archaeological sites proves the sunflower has been cultivated since 3,000 B.C. The American Indian used sunflowers for food, curing rattlesnake bites, relieving chest pain and as dye for face painting.

Across the globe, sunflowers became important when the Holy Orthodox Church of Russia forbade the use of many foods during Lent and Advent, especially those rich in oil. Russians eagerly accepted sunflower oil in their diet because it could be eaten without breaking this religious rule. Russia soon became an international leader in the production of sunflower seeds, a title it still holds.

The sunflower, Helianthus annuus, is an annual garden flower that will grow in almost any type of soil, requires a full sun location and requires little pest control.

From electric lemon to deep bronze, sunflowers come in varieties compact enough for container use, yet tall enough as a unique screen or fence. The classic giant 'Cyclops Hybrid' by Burpee® grows up to15-feet tall and produces delicious seeds from 14-inch flower heads. Dwarf sunflowers grow 14-to 30-inches tall, perfect for children's gardens or containers. The 'Sundance Kid' variety by Park's Seed is a dwarf sunflower that features extremely free-flowering blossoms. 'Fun in the Sun' hybrid mix and 'Summer Trio' by Burpee® will provide several varieties in one packet.

Color preference and space limitations are just two considerations when selecting a favorite variety. Park's Seeds produces a perennial sunflower, H. Maximilianii- Prairie Sunflower which grows 6-to 8 feet high. Bring the sunny charm of Van Gogh's painting into your home by choosing one of the 'Van Gogh' variety packs available from most seed catalogs. If cuttings of the flowers are what you desire, then choose dwarf varieties which are ideal for cuttings.

Children can be active participants in growing and gardening with sunflowers. First, they are easy to plant. Try building a little house out of sunflowers by arranging the seeds in rows, circles or squares that will grow to become the walls of a "sunflower house."

Now, children can observe in awe as they watch the miracle of life sprout and build them a house made from flowers. Just remember that when the first leaves appear, the sunflower seedlings should be thinned so that they are approximately 15 inches to two feet apart.

After thinning, there is little to do but water and wait. While the plants are growing, have your child read the colorful children's book, "Sunflower House" by Eve Bunting. As the plants grow, measure their growth to the height of your child. After only two weeks, the plants will be ankle high, then to the knees, the waist, and so on.

When the heads droop and the petals fade, tie a large paper bag around the heads to catch any falling seeds and prevent the birds from eating them. By late September, the heads should be ready to cut from the plants. Leave about six inches of stem attached to serve as a handle. The seeds are easy to remove by picking them out or brushing them with your hands. The seed head of the sunflower is the child's ultimate reward. With pride your child will say, "I grew it myself!"

Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or roasted. They are a healthy snack containing high levels of protein, thiamine, vitamin E, iron, potassium and calcium. They can also be saved and used as birdseed in winter feeders to attract beautiful cardinals.

Sunflowers can be seen in the Patty Jischke Children's Garden in Reiman Gardens. Visit the Scarecrow Garden to see how many different types of garden plants and farm crops grow - it's an educational treat for children of all ages.

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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 272K. Caption: Plant sunflowers anywhere for beauty and excitement that will captivate the entire family. The easy and fast-growing flower will thrive in the sunshine and provide children with a "growing experience." The rich sunflower history and variety of sizes and colors will make the flower a popular garden choice every summer.

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