Many housewives would like to grow decorative sunflowers at home, but not everyone knows the subtleties and nuances of planting, growing and caring for this plant. Decorative sunflower differs from a similar oilseed crop not only in its more attractive appearance, but also in the presence of a large number of varieties, and its main purpose is to create unique style in the garden or near the house.
In Europe, the sunflower has been known for more than 500 years, it is constantly admired, songs are written about it, and it appears in many paintings by famous artists. To date, breeders have bred more than 150 different varieties decorative sunflowers, and new varieties and hybrids appear every year. There are tiny decorative flowers, and there are giant plants; the color can be from soft cream to bright red, uniform and heterogeneous.
Today, decorative sunflowers can be found in almost any part of our planet; they are in Europe, America, Japan, and Africa. Not far from Vienna there is a “Sunflower Park”, which displays both ornamental and oilseed varieties, as well as wild representatives of this genus. The park is very popular among tourists who come to admire this beautiful plant.
Decorative varieties have gained popularity due to the variety of shapes and colors; in addition, their care and cultivation are simple and affordable. Depending on your preferences, you can grow in your garden varieties that are no more than 30 cm high or those that grow up to 3 meters or more in height, with one or more stems.
You can choose plants with a stem thickness of up to 5-20 cm, and they will help you hide a part of the house or yard that is not very beautiful view, and the variety of colors allows you to choose a plant that fits organically into any exterior.
How to plant correctly?
Ornamental sunflower, like its oilseed relative, loves a lot of sun, so planting and growing should be done in sunny areas of the yard or garden that are protected from the wind, and the soil should drain well.
Before seeds are planted in the ground, it is recommended that they be properly prepared. The process of preparing seed material occurs according to the following plan:
- first from a spoon wood ash and half a liter of water make a solution;
- soak a piece of soft cloth with this solution, which should absorb water well;
- seeds prepared for planting are wrapped in cloth;
- they are left in this state for a day;
- if during this time the fabric dries out, it must be periodically moistened;
- seeds are ready for planting.
Sowing annual decorative sunflowers can begin in May and continue throughout the summer, so this will constantly bloom in your yard beautiful plant.
The depth of planting seeds in the ground should not be more than 3-4 cm, while the distance between neighboring plants, depending on the selected variety, can be 30-70 centimeters. If perennial varieties are grown, then in this case propagation is carried out by dividing the bush; this can be done every 2 years in spring or autumn.
How to care and water?
Decorative sunflowers are unpretentious plants, so caring for them is quite simple. To maximize their flowering period, it is necessary to water regularly. Although watering should be plentiful, water should not stagnate in the soil, as this can lead to the death of the plant.
In addition, caring for this plant consists of constantly weeding so that they do not interfere with growth, and periodically loosening the soil. It is recommended to periodically remove faded flowers; this will stimulate the growth of new buds and the plant will look more attractive.
If you have fertile soil on your site, then you don’t have to feed the plants; they themselves will find all the necessary substances that will ensure normal growth and development. If the soil is not very fertile, then you can feed the flowers using any organic fertilizers, this must be done at the beginning of the growing season.
If you notice the appearance of any pest, you must use appropriate means of protection to combat it. To combat fungi, drugs such as Vectra, Abiga-pik, Strobi are used, which are diluted to the desired consistency and treated the entire above-ground part of the plant.
Among folk remedies the most effective and frequently used is a solution of soap and copper sulfate: per liter of water take 3 grams of copper sulfate and 25 grams laundry soap, and process the plant. If you see damaged leaves, they must be removed.
If there is a need to remove one of the plants damaged by pests from the site, then you simply need to cut off its stem at ground level. If you decide to uproot a diseased plant, you risk damaging it. root system nearby growing healthy sunflowers.
Growing a flower in an apartment
You can grow this plant in a room on the windowsill. This unpretentious flower Even children who enjoy watching the growth of a decorative sunflower can grow it. To grow indoors, you need to choose decorative dwarf varieties.
The container is taken taking into account the size of the future plant in such a way that you do not have to replant it later, since sunflowers do not tolerate replanting well. For dwarf varieties A pot with a diameter of 30-40 cm is quite enough.
For planting, use regular soil, to which you can add crystals that retain moisture. To provide the plant with the necessary amount nutrients, well-rotted compost is added to the soil 1:1.
When planting, it is best to plant a couple of seeds, and when shoots appear, the weaker plant must be removed. Before emergence, watering is recommended once every two days, and it is necessary to control soil moisture. Shoots should appear already on days 3-8; if this does not happen after 10-14 days, then they will no longer sprout.
Since this plant loves sunlight very much, it should be installed in a place that is well lit.
A little about the types and varieties
If we talk about flower varieties, annual decorative sunflowers are most often grown, but there are also perennial varieties, one of them is Jerusalem artichoke, which belongs to this species and is called tuberous sunflower. Its height can reach 3 meters, and the tubers are eaten and have healing properties.
Another common perennial species is the ten-petalled sunflower; it is smaller in size: only up to 1.5 meters in height. Flowering occurs from August until the first frost.
One of the most popular annual plants is the “Teddy bear”, which is also called “bear cub”. His distinctive feature are large flowers that resemble a plush toy in appearance - hence the name “bear cub”. It blooms from mid-summer to early autumn, and its height is usually no more than a meter.
“Krasno Solnyshko” differs from other varieties in its flowers, which are red-brown in color. One of the largest varieties is 'Kong', which can reach a height of 5 meters. This plant has thick stems and wide leaves, so it is often used to create decorative fencing.
There are many different varieties and types of sunflowers that vary in size and color. If you decide to grow such a miracle on your own plot, you will be able to find seeds to suit your taste and not only enjoy the view yourself of this plant, but also to bring joy to people.
Thank you
Everybody knows sunflower like a beautiful plant that resembles the sun and produces delicious and useful product- seeds that almost fully satisfy the needs of an adult, both in polyunsaturated acids and vitamin E. Thus, sunflower preparations can quickly relax the smooth muscles of internal organs, lower body temperature, and stimulate appetite. At the same time, not only the kernels (or seeds) of sunflower are useful, but also its other parts, namely inflorescences, leaves, roots, stems. We’ll talk more about the use of sunflower in medicine and its beneficial properties later.
Description of the plant
Sunflower name ( Helianthus) is translated from Latin as “flower of the sun” (or sunny flower). And it is not by chance that this name was given to it, because large sunflower inflorescences, which are bordered by bright yellow petals, really resemble the sun. In addition, the sunflower has a unique ability, which consists in the fact that the plant turns its head behind the sun, thereby traveling with it from sunrise to sunset.It should be noted that most sunflower species are annual plants, although there are also perennials, which are mainly herbaceous plants.
Sunflower is distinguished by a thick and strong root, rough and pointed leaves at the top, of which there can be from 15 to 35. The top of the stem has a large inflorescence-basket, surrounded below by green leaves, but outside the basket there are golden flowers.
The sunflower fruit is an achene with a kernel. Depending on the type of plant, the skin of the achene is white or black.
Where do sunflowers grow?
The homeland of sunflower is Peru and Mexico (it was from here that this plant was brought to Russia). Sunflower prefers a warm climate and fertile soil, so it is grown in the southern part of Russia. With intense sunlight and the provision of moisture and nutrients directly into the soil, this plant develops a strong root system, has large leaves and produces a fairly good seed yield.Sunflower varieties
The sunflower genus has about 108 species, with two rightfully considered the most famous:1. Oilseed (annual).
2. Jerusalem artichoke (perennial).
Annual sunflower (oilseed or ordinary)
The annual sunflower, which is also called oilseed or ordinary, has a stem reaching a height of two to three meters, heart-shaped triangular leaves, placed alternately on the stem. The powerful stem is topped with a large inflorescence-basket, the diameter of which varies from 10 to 35 cm. The lower part of the inflorescence is surrounded by green, tiled-like leaves, while the flowers in the central part of the basket are smaller in size and bright yellow in color. It must be said that by the time flowering begins, the baskets droop. The thick stem of the plant is covered with stiff hairs. Fruit annual sunflower- these are oblong and slightly flattened achenes of white, gray or black color (the achenes can also be striped). This type of sunflower blooms from July to October. As an oilseed crop, it is grown in fields, vegetable gardens and orchards.
Perennial sunflower (Jerusalem artichoke)
This is a tuberous plant, which in Russia is better known as “earthen pear,” but in Europe, perennial sunflower is called “Jerusalem artichoke.” The homeland of the earthen pear is Brazil, it was from here that this plant was brought to Europe along with the American Indians from the Tupinambus tribe (hence another name for the plant - “Jerusalem artichoke”).
This light-loving and drought-resistant plant is used as decorative element, food product and medicinal plant. Thus, Jerusalem artichoke tubers contain inulin, macro- and microelements, pectins, vitamins C and B, and iron salts. But Jerusalem artichoke does not accumulate harmful substances and nitrates.
Inulin is a polysaccharide, the hydrolysis of which produces fructose, a sugar that is harmless to diabetics.
Jerusalem artichoke contains a large number of iron, manganese, calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium and sodium. In addition, this type of sunflower actively accumulates silicon directly from the soil. It is impossible not to say that Jerusalem artichoke contains proteins, pectin, amino acids, beneficial organic and fatty acids.
Important! Jerusalem artichoke contains 8 amino acids that are synthesized exclusively by plants (that is, not synthesized in the human body). We are talking about histidine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan.
Thus, biologically active substances are the basis for the healing properties of Jerusalem artichoke.
Jerusalem artichoke is similar to an ordinary sunflower, but it has underground shoots(the so-called stolons), on which potato tubers are formed. Perennial sunflower grows in one place for 30 (or even 40) years, although it produces a high yield only in the first three to four years.
Jerusalem artichoke tubers have medicinal properties, which normalize metabolism, which has a positive effect on treatment:
- cardiovascular diseases;
Sunflower collection and storage
The medicinal raw materials of sunflower are:
- marginal flowers;
- leaves;
- seeds;
- stem;
- roots.
In medicine, reed flowers of bright yellow sunflower are used, which are cut off in such a way as not to damage the baskets themselves. collected flowers Dry immediately in a well-ventilated area, which allows you to preserve their natural color. The smell of dried raw materials during the soaking process should be faint and honey-like, but the taste should be a little bitter.
Sunflower leaves are torn from the petioles, and very large leaves should not be collected, especially if they are damaged by rust or eaten by insects. The leaves are dried in the air, but always in the shade (you can use special dryers). Properly dried leaves should be rough and have prominent and heavily pubescent veins. The dried raw material has a dark green color and a bitter taste, while the dried leaves have no odor.
Sunflower roots are collected (pulled out) in the fall (more precisely, at the end of September), that is, after ripening, as well as after collecting the seeds. It is at this time that the roots of the plant have healing properties.
Sunflower seeds ripen by September.
Flowers and leaves are stored in fabric bags for no more than two years.
Composition and properties of sunflower
Carotene
It is an immunostimulant plant origin, which increases many times protective forces the body by neutralizing the negative effects of free radicals.Betaine
Action:- activation of lipid metabolism;
- normalization of triglyceride levels in the blood;
- promoting energy production;
- normalization of the acidity of gastric contents;
- improving the functioning of the digestive system;
- preventing fat deposition.
Kholin
Action:- promoting fat absorption;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- stimulation of cardiac activity;
- strengthening the central nervous system;
- prevention of premature aging.
Resins
Properties:- bactericidal;
- bacteriostatic;
- astringent;
- antiputrefactive.
Fixed oils
Action:- regeneration of tissues and cells of the body;
- elimination of inflammation;
- accelerating the wound healing process;
- protecting the body from the negative effects of carcinogenic substances.
Flavonoids
Action:- strengthening and improving the elasticity of both capillaries and vascular walls;
- neutralization of free radicals;
- regulation of the central nervous system;
- lowering blood pressure.
Organic acids
Action:- increased appetite;
- activation of metabolic processes, which promotes the breakdown of fats;
- increasing immunity;
- removal of toxins;
- normalization of digestion.
Tannins
By modifying cell proteins, they form protective film, accelerating the healing process of wounds and neutralizing the harmful effects of bacteria. Tannins are used as anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, bacteriostatic and astringent agents.Calcium
Action of calcium: - forms teeth and skeleton;
- normalizes metabolism;
- strengthens heart vessels;
- increases immunity;
- regulates the functioning of the central nervous system.
Zinc
Action:- renews skin cells;
- reduces allergic manifestations;
- accelerates wound healing;
- relieves inflammation;
- increases immunity.
Glycosides
Properties:- diuretic;
- sedative;
- vasodilator;
- expectorant;
- antimicrobial;
- disinfectant.
Anthocyanins
Action:- reducing the fragility of capillaries and blood vessels;
- slowing down the aging process;
- stopping bleeding;
- strengthening the heart muscle;
- normalization of metabolism;
- relieving inflammation;
- normalization of the central nervous system.
Bitterness
Action:- appetite stimulation;
- normalization of digestion;
- restoration of the body in case of exhaustion, weakness, loss of strength, neurasthenia;
- strengthening the immune system.
Protein
This excellent source of energy provides the body with hormones, antibodies, as well as other enzymes that are necessary for the full functioning of the body.Carbohydrates
This is the main source of energy for humans, ensuring a complete metabolic process.Fitin
Action:- stimulating liver function;
- prevention of the development of fatty liver;
- lowering cholesterol levels;
- strengthening blood vessels;
- normalization of the nervous system;
- activation of fat metabolism.
Lecithin
Action:- acceleration of oxidative processes;
- ensuring normal fat metabolism;
- improving brain function;
- normalization of the cardiovascular system;
- increasing the body's resistance to toxic substances;
- stimulation of bile secretion;
- participation in the process of formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Vitamin A
Action:- participation in oxidative as well as reduction processes;
- regulation of the process of protein synthesis;
- normalization of metabolism;
- participation in the formation of bones and teeth;
- slowing down the aging process.
Vitamin E
Action: - inhibition of membrane destruction and calcium leakage from cells;
- optimization of metabolic processes inside the cell;
- removal of toxins;
- normalization of reproductive function;
- regulation of RNA and protein biosynthesis.
Pectin
Action:- removal of radionuclides, salts of heavy metals;
- suppression of putrefactive intestinal flora.
Saponins
Action:- thinning of sputum;
- removal of mucus from the bronchopulmonary system;
- preventing DNA synthesis in tumor cells.
Properties of sunflower
- choleretic;
- antipyretic;
- laxative;
- antispasmodic;
- antitussive;
- emollient;
- immunomodulatory;
- enveloping;
- astringent;
- antirheumatic;
- antisclerotic;
- expectorant.
Treatment with common sunflower
Sunflower is widely used for health purposes due to the presence in the plant of many biologically active substances that are vital for the normal functioning of the entire body.The following parts of the plant are used in medicine:
- seeds;
- root;
- flowers;
- inflorescences;
- petals;
- stem.
Seeds
Raw seeds have the following properties:
- help normalize blood pressure;
- facilitate the removal of sputum;
- prevent sclerotic changes directly in blood vessels;
- normalize the functioning of the nervous system;
- reduce the manifestations of allergies.
Sunflower oil is obtained from sunflower seeds, which is a component of ointments, plasters, and effective oil solutions.
Root
This part of the plant helps dissolve and remove salts from the body, therefore preparations from sunflower roots are used in the treatment of:- arthrosis;
- stones and sand both in the kidneys and in the gall bladder.
Flowers
Annual sunflower flowers are included in products intended for the treatment of the following diseases: - heart disease;
- cold;
- neurasthenia;
- bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- malaria;
- gout;
Inflorescence
Sunflower inflorescence is indicated for the treatment of diseases of the liver, stomach, as well as the duodenum, intestines and pancreas, and articular rheumatism.Sunflower leaves
Preparations from sunflower leaves are used for:- fever;
- neuralgia;
- psoriasis;
- gastrointestinal colic;
- diseases of the spinal cord and brain;
- bronchial asthma;
- cold.
Petals
An infusion of yellow sunflower petals is used internally for cancer as a diuretic. Externally, products containing sunflower petals are used to treat pemphigus vulgaris and old ulcers in diabetes mellitus.Stem
This part of the plant is used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system, kidneys, and thyroid gland. In the process of using sunflower stem, which has a pronounced diuretic effect, joint pain may be observed, indicating the cleansing of the joint capsules from harmful deposits.Application of sunflower
Sunflower preparations are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, and tinctures. Decoction
A decoction of sunflower flowers is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. the raw materials are crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water, then the mixture is put on low heat for 10 minutes, after which the product is infused for an hour, filtered and brought boiled water to the original volume. Take a decoction of three tablespoons no more than four times a day, 20 minutes before eating.Infusion
Sunflower infusion helps cure colds and relieve fever. To prepare the infusion, 2 tbsp. pour a glass of boiling water over sunflower petals, leave for 10 minutes and drink at night.Tincture
Sunflower tincture, prepared from leaves and flowers, is prescribed to improve appetite and enhance gastrointestinal activity. In addition, the tincture is used for malaria, pulmonary diseases and neuralgia.To prepare the tincture, 3 tbsp. The flowers are poured into a glass of vodka and left to infuse for a week in a dark place. After the specified time, the tincture is filtered and drunk 40 drops, twice a day.
Contraindications to the use of sunflower
When taking sunflower preparations in therapeutic doses, no side effects occur. But still, experts do not recommend taking sunflower seeds to people who suffer from gastritis or peptic ulcers. It is also undesirable to consume sunflower seeds in large quantities for overweight people, since the seeds of the plant belong to the class of high-calorie foods.A contraindication to the use of sunflower is individual intolerance to the plant.
Important! Before taking sunflower preparations, it is necessary to determine whether you are allergic to this plant in order to avoid possible complications.
Sunflower allergy
An allergy to sunflower is most often triggered by the human body’s sensitivity to the plant’s pollen, which, penetrating into the bronchi, causes a negative reaction of the immune system. In the worst case, hay fever (or an allergic reaction to pollen) can cause the development of bronchial asthma, a disease that is accompanied by shortness of breath and cough. Therefore, it is important to determine the presence or absence of an allergy to this plant before starting to use sunflower preparations. And an allergist will help with this, who will collect an anamnesis and prescribe tests to clarify the allergen or rule out allergies.In general, hay fever is often accompanied by allergic rhinitis, which can be recognized by the following signs:
- severe itching in the nose;
- paroxysmal sneezing;
- nasal congestion;
- decreased sense of smell;
- itching in the eyes;
- redness of the eyelids;
- lacrimation.
Sunflower honey is distinguished by a fairly high content of carotene, vitamin A, as well as aromatic substances that have bactericidal properties, therefore it is used to accelerate wound healing.
This type of honey is recommended to be used simultaneously with apple cider vinegar, for which you should mix a glass of water room temperature, a tablespoon of sunflower honey and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This mixture is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach for at least a month.
Important! Sunflower honey contains a high percentage of pollen, so it is not recommended for people who are prone to allergies.
Beneficial properties of sunflower honey
Unfortunately, in our country, sunflower honey is not always in demand, which cannot be said about European countries, where this honey is compulsorily included in the school and kindergarten diet. Our compatriots do not prefer sunflower honey for the reason that it quickly crystallizes (in liquid form this honey is kept for no more than 20 days, and sometimes crystallizes in the hive itself). Moreover, after crystallization, honey acquires a bitter taste.But rapid crystallization does not detract medicinal properties this honey, which contains an amount of glucose one and a half times higher than in other types of honey.
Glucose does not need additional processing directly in the stomach, since it is instantly absorbed into the blood, spreading throughout the body.
Properties of glucose:
- strengthening the walls of the heart muscle;
- increasing the strength of blood vessels;
- promoting the normalization of heart function.
- normalization of arterial and venous circulation;
- removing toxins from the body;
- improvement of liver function;
- preventing the appearance of edema;
- strengthening the myocardial muscle;
- promoting the process of hematopoiesis, which accelerates the renewal of the body.
Sunflower Lecithin
Lecithin is an integral component of the growth and development of the body. Lecithin is a component of all cell membranes human body, acting as the main component of the protective shell not only of the brain, but of all nerve fibers without exception. Simply put, without lecithin the normal functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs is impossible. Lecithin is responsible for the “repair” and regular renewal of body cells, since it is part of the so-called “good” cholesterol, which removes “bad” cholesterol from the atherosclerotic plaque located in the vessel, thereby helping to restore its lumen.
In general, lecithin has three main functions:
1.
Conservation of energy transported throughout the body.
2.
Ensuring the construction of cell membranes.
3.
Providing adaptive properties of the body.
It is in such a plant as the common sunflower that contains a large amount of lecithin, which affects the body in the following way:
- prevents the development of diseases caused by dysfunction of the nervous system;
- has a beneficial effect on mental development;
- produces acetylcholine, which ensures normal metabolism of both fats and cholesterol;
- strengthens memory;
- normalizes reproductive function (without lecithin, women cannot conceive, bear and give birth to a healthy child);
- increases the body's resistance to the influence of toxic substances;
- stimulates bile secretion;
- prevents the development of multiple sclerosis;
- improves attention;
- increases physical endurance;
- promotes the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K;
- protects the liver from the negative effects of preservatives, insecticides, toxins, as well as drugs and alcohol.
Recipes with annual sunflower
Tincture for gout
Young sunflower flower and its green small ones lower leaves are crushed well, after which they fill the third part of the bottle, into which vodka is poured to the top. The product is infused for a month in a warm place, shaking regularly. The strained tincture is taken daily in half a glass, diluted with boiled water. The same tincture can be used as warming compresses.Compresses for the treatment of joints
One glass of crushed sunflower roots is poured into a liter hot water, after which the mixture is cooked over low heat for one hour (the product should boil down by almost half). The finished decoction has a dark, rich color. In the resulting decoction, gauze (or cloth) folded in several layers is moistened and applied to the sore joint. Cellophane is placed on top of the compress, then cotton wool, and then the compress is secured with a warm scarf. This procedure is carried out at night, which will provide rest to the sore joint.Infusion for stomach cancer
3 tbsp. fresh crushed flowers of the plant are poured with one liter of fresh milk, after which the mixture is simmered in a steam bath until the product has evaporated to half the original volume. The infusion is cooled, filtered and consumed three times a day, a tablespoon, 30 minutes before meals. The treatment course is two liters of infusion. Then there is a break for three weeks.Decoction for whooping cough
Ripe sunflower seeds are dried in the oven and kneaded in a mortar. 3 tbsp. crushed seeds are poured with half a liter of sweetened water and simmered over fire until the volume of water is reduced by one fourth. The strained decoction is taken for 10 - 12 days.Decoction for prostate adenoma
Dried sunflower roots (a little less than one glass) are boiled in three liters of water (exclusively used for preparing the decoction). enamel cookware). The decoction is infused for three hours and taken one liter per day.In addition, for prostate adenoma, enemas from the sediment of sunflower oil, which must be unrefined, are indicated. Enemas are done for 10 days, for which 100 - 150 g of oil with sediment should be poured into a heated enema and inserted into the anus.
Tincture for pneumonia
A half-liter bottle is filled with sunflower flowers, filled with vodka and infused for two weeks. The strained tincture is drunk a teaspoon three times a day. Before use, you should consult a specialist.Among the many varieties of flowering plants are flowers similar to sunflowers. All of them belong to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The baskets (inflorescences) of the representatives of the family have a round corymbose shape.
The peduncles of these plants are complex, that is, what we call a “sunflower flower” is an inflorescence of several dozen flowers adjacent to each other in one receptacle. The bed can be flat, concave or convex.
A sunflower flower resembles a miniature sun
Everyone has asteraceae, similar to small sunflowers, small, thin tubular flowers grow in the center of the basket, and reed flowers grow along its edges, which create a lush corolla.
Tubular flowers are tightly adjacent to each other. It is from them that the seeds grow. The receptacle is immersed in a solid base - a calyx, around which small leaves (bracts) grow, framing the basket. They protect the inflorescence until it has formed and opened.
It cannot be said that the common ancestor of all aster plants there was a wild sunflower, once brought by the Spaniards from America, but the similarity of the structure of Asteraceae with agricultural sunflower is undeniable.
Venidium (Arktotis)
Venidium inflorescences are colored in the most different colors. The varieties Orange Prince, Amaretto, and Venidium marigold are similar to sunflowers.
Venidium Orange Prince produces large baskets up to 10-12 cm in diameter with bright, orange-yellow and orange reed flowers. The diameter of the Venidium marigold inflorescence is 3.5-4 cm.
The reed flowers of Venidium have the shape of a highly elongated oval. Tubular flowers are black, dark brown. The height of the plant varies from 45 to 70 cm, its bushes are wide and branched. The plant blooms from June to September; it is planted in multi-level flower beds and combined with other aster flowers.
Jerusalem artichoke - frost-resistant perennial crop, grown in middle lane and in the south. Some gardeners, when asked what the flower is called, will answer that it is an earthen pear. The tubers, which taste like cabbage stalks, turnips or turnips, are eaten.
This plant blooms profusely with small bright yellow inflorescences. Reed flowers of Jerusalem artichoke are bright yellow, tubular flowers are often dark brown. Baskets grow on thin long stems.
The diameter of Jerusalem artichoke inflorescences varies from 2 to 10 cm. The leaves of the plant are elongated, lanceolate. Jerusalem artichoke grows up to 2.5-4 meters in height.
Elecampane - medicinal plant, which is used in herbal medicine. It is a herbaceous shrub with long stems and wide, toothed leaves. 3-6 inflorescences and several leaves grow on one stem. The height of the bush, depending on the variety, is 30-70 cm, the diameter of the basket is 4-15 cm.
The inflorescences of elecampane are orange, yellow, light yellow, tubular and reed flowers are painted in the same or different colors. The reed petals are narrow and long, they form one or several rows.
This plant is planted among stones in rockeries and alpine hills.
This annual is characterized by abundant flowering, sanvitalia bushes are strewn with dozens of small flowers from July to October. The color almost completely covers the foliage. The baskets of Sanvitalia are small, their diameter ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cm.
The marginal (ligulate) petals of the inflorescences are deep yellow, the receptacle of the basket is convex. The tubular flowers of sanvitalia are black with a purple or brown tint. There are varieties of sanvitalia with a green core, white or orange corolla.
The branched stems of the flower grow up to 30-60 cm, they bend, giving the bush a spherical shape. The varieties Gold Braid, Solnyshki, and Yellow Sea are similar to small sunflowers.
Rudbeckia hybrid
This plant with large inflorescences vaguely resembles a sunflower or chamomile (varieties Zelenoglazka, Terry Golden, Autumn Flowers, Amber, Marmalade and others). The reed petals of rudbeckia are very bright, yellow, fiery orange and red. The receptacle of the basket is convex, the tubular flowers are brown, purple and lilac. U different varieties The size of the baskets varies from 9 to 17 cm.
In many varieties of hybrid rudbeckia, the corolla petals are two-colored, with longitudinal or transverse stripes.
The stems of rudbeckia grow up to 50-250 cm in height. They are covered with thick green colored elongated or oval leaves. The flower stems are stable and rigid.
Ornamental sunflowers (helianthus) - similar to sunflowers but not sunflowers - are grown as a crop. Their seeds are not suitable for food or oil production. There are dozens of breeding varieties of this plant.
The color of the reed petals of helianthus can be yellow, white, cream, orange, burgundy, light yellow. The tubular flowers in the center of the basket are yellow, black or brown.
Reed flowers have different shapes and sizes; in some varieties they are rolled into a tube. The diameter of the baskets varies from 5 to 30 cm. Dwarf helianthus grow up to 60 cm, giant helianthus reach 2-3 meters in height.
Calendula inflorescences are simple (with one or two rows of petals), semi-double and double. The color of the corolla is deep orange or light yellow. The reed petals are evenly colored, but in some varieties the color becomes lighter towards the middle. Tubular flowers are orange. They can be painted in a more saturated color than the reed ones.
The leaves of calendula are elongated, lanceolate, light green, the stems of the plant are moderately branched. Flower bushes grow up to 30-60 cm in height. There are large and small varieties calendula. The size of the inflorescence-baskets varies from 3 to 10 cm in different varieties.
All selection chrysanthemums have single-row or double inflorescences of the most different colors and sizes. These plants are resistant to cold and are pleasing to the eye until frost. Chrysanthemums are planted in flower beds behind low-growing flowering plants.
There are dozens of varieties whose baskets look like small sunflowers. These are chrysanthemums Maiden (Golden ball), Terry (yellow and white), Svemba kars, Mishal and a number of others. The tubular flowers of the basket are often black, yellow or green.
Most varieties of this flower have bare or pubescent stems and jagged green leaves. The height of the flower stalks reaches 40-60 cm.
Cosmea yellow (sulfur yellow)
Two varieties of sulfur-yellow Cosmea are popular among flower growers - Bilbo and Cross Lemon. This is a heat-loving plant that is drought-resistant.
The diameter of the inflorescences of this species is small - 5-7 cm. The reed flowers are colored in rich yellow, sulfur-yellow, orange and red-orange. The tubular flowers in the center of the basket are most often yellow.
Thanks to the lush foliage of Cosmea sulfur-yellow, it completely covers the soil. The leaves of this plant are rugged, pinnate and lanceolate. The Bilbo variety blooms with semi-double orange baskets and grows in height up to 50-80 cm. Lemon Cross is low-growing and reaches 40 cm.
Among the numerous varieties of this plant, Helenium autumn yellow and Helenium Canaria are similar to small sunflowers. The baskets of this plant are single, but more often corymbose, collected in inflorescences. The receptacle is surrounded by reed flowers of reddish, purple, orange, brown and yellow flowers. In the center of the basket, on a strongly convex bed, there are tubular flowers (brown or yellow).
Helenium autumn yellow grows up to 3 meters in height and produces inflorescences measuring 4-6 cm across. Helenium Canaria grows up to 150 cm, its baskets with a diameter of 3.5-5 cm form corymbose apical inflorescences.
Chamomile yellow
Yellow chamomile is also called gooseberry or doronicum. There are several breeding varieties of decorative chamomile of this type.
Both the reed and tubular flowers of this daisy are bright yellow and lemon yellow. The diameter of the inflorescences varies from 4 to 10 cm across.
Glossy dark green leaves grow on the rigid and slightly branched stems of the flower bush; the basal leaves form a rosette. After flowering, the foliage of yellow chamomile does not wither and remains fresh until the end of summer. The height of dwarf bushes is 20-25 cm. Tall chamomile grows up to 70 cm.
Asters
Asters are not terry varieties The structure of the inflorescences is similar to a sunflower. This is Andrella super, Matsumoto, Rainbow, Alpine Astra.
Alpine Aster has white or yellowish reed flowers, they also come in pink, red, lilac and purple. The receptacle of the baskets of this variety is raised, but slightly recessed towards the center. The tubular flowers have yellow petals. In the center of the calyx, the flowers are undeveloped and green in color. The diameter of the inflorescence-baskets is 4-6 cm.
Aster Andrella is super similar to the variety described above, but the receptacle of the inflorescence is flatter. The color of the reed flowers of Andrella Super is pink, purple, white, yellowish, the tubular flowers are yellow. The diameter of the basket is 9-10 cm.
There are many more flowers that look like sunflowers. You have met only the most common plants.
The decorative sunflower is a flower beloved by many since childhood, and we will tell you about the intricacies of growing, planting and caring for it in this article. We are sure that after reading the article, you will definitely want to decorate your suburban area such beauty!
The bright and incredibly sunny flowers of the decorative sunflower differ from the agricultural crop we are familiar with not only in size, but also in purpose, the main goal of which is to create a unique country style flavor in the garden. 
By the way, for the first time, sunflower seeds, called Helianthus in Latin (from the Greek “helios”, meaning sun and “anthos” - flower), were brought in 1510 from Mexico by members of the 4th expedition of Christopher Columbus. Once in Europe, the sunflower became a universal favorite, arousing genuine interest and admiration. For centuries, songs and poems have been written about the sunflower, and its image can often be seen captured in the paintings of famous artists. Thus, it is decorative sunflowers that are depicted in the famous series of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh “Sunflowers”.
Thanks to the continuous work of breeders armed modern methods biotechnology and genetics, over 150 new varieties and hybrids of ornamental sunflowers were created. Every year new products appear on the market, each of which is a new word in the selection of the species. Thus, breeders have bred touching miniature sunflowers that are capable of bearing several flowers on one stem at the same time, charming double sunflowers with a dense round velvet core of orange-brown color, sunflowers similar to marigolds, and many decorative species with heterogeneous color, from cream to peach-pink.
Today, sunflowers are so popular that they are grown all over the world: in Europe and Japan, North America, South Africa and Austria. By the way, it was in Austria, not far from Vienna, that the most popular among tourists, the “Sunflower Park,” was recently opened, where visitors can see over forty species of wild fellows of our “familiar”, hundreds of modern oilseed varieties, as well as almost all decorative forms that exist today.
The popularity of decorative sunflowers is due not only to the ease of their cultivation, but also to the variety of plants. Depending on desires and taste preferences, you can grow decorative sunflowers from 30-cm dwarfs to 3-meter giants, single-stemmed or branched.
Thanks to the different diameters of the plant's flowers - from 5 to 20 cm - and the variety of types of decorative sunflowers, it is possible to decorate with these bright sunny flowers, for example, an unsightly wall of a house or barn, using varieties of different colors: white, lemon, orange, apricot and even brown-red.
Ornamental sunflowers should be planted in open, sunny areas, protected from the wind, with well-draining soil.
Annual decorative sunflowers reproduce by seeds, which, before sowing, must be soaked for a day in a cloth previously thoroughly soaked in an infusion of wood ash, for the preparation of which 1 tablespoon of ash must be dissolved in 500 g warm water. Sowing of annual sunflower can be done from the beginning of May and throughout summer period, then the sunflowers will not stop blooming.
The sowing depth of decorative sunflower seeds should not exceed 3 cm, and the optimal distance between plants is considered to be 30-70 cm from each other - depending on the variety.
All perennial sunflower species are easily propagated by dividing the bush, which can be done every two years, in late autumn or early spring.
Caring for decorative sunflowers
Decorative sunflowers are not at all capricious flowers that do not need special care, but by providing them with regular care, you can prolong the flowering of these amazing flowers as much as possible. They need to be watered quite abundantly, but try not to allow water to stagnate in the soil around the plant and at its stems, otherwise you risk destroying the plant.
Pests of ornamental sunflowers
Among the numerous pests of sunflower, the most dangerous for the plant are: the sunflower moth, its caterpillars damage the achenes, as well as the sunflower longhorned beetle and the sunflower spiny beetle, which completely eat away the core of the plant stem. Also, one of the most malicious enemies of sunflowers is considered to be broomrape - a flowering annual plant that “settles” on the roots of a sunflower and leads to the death of the plant.
Types and varieties of decorative sunflowers
Most types of sunflower - annual plants, but there are also perennials among them, the most famous of which is Helianthus tuberosus (tuberous sunflower), or, as it is popularly called, earthen pear - Jerusalem artichoke.
Helianthus tuberosus (tuberous sunflower)
The name of the species is directly related to the fact that tubers are formed on the roots of this sunflower, which have excellent healing properties. Tuberous sunflower plants reach a height of 3 meters, their stems are slightly leafy, and the baskets of golden-yellow flowers are quite small - from 2 to 6 cm.
Ten-petalled sunflower is also quite common perennial species, reaching a height of 1.5 m. The leaves of the ten-petalled sunflower are dark green, and the inflorescences of the plant can be either double or simple. Helianthus decapetalus blooms from mid-August until the first frost, with golden or lemon-yellow flowers.
Decorative sunflower “Teddy bear”
Perhaps one of the most popular annual decorative sunflowers is “Teddy Bear”, or “Teddy Bear”, which is distinguished by very large round, up to 22 cm in diameter, double bright yellow flowers, reminiscent of a plush toy. The height of the plant, as a rule, does not exceed 1 m, and flowering, which occurs in mid-summer, lasts until autumn.
Decorative sunflower “Red Sun”
No less interesting is a variety of decorative sunflower, such as “Krasno Solnyshko”, with red-brown flowers, reaching a height of up to 2 m.
Decorative sunflower Vanilla Ice
The variety of decorative sunflower Vanilla Ice was bred by foreign breeders. The sunflower has pale yellow single petals and a dark center.
Decorative sunflower Moulin Rouge
Variety foreign selection, the flower is painted in a rich carmine red color, the petals are lighter towards the edges and dark towards the core.
One of the tallest sunflowers, reaching a height of 5 m! Thick stems and wide leaves. Perfect solution to create a decorative fence.
The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you will end up in the jungle :)
Decorative sunflower ProCut Red Lemon BiColor
A beautiful two-tone sunflower: the outer half of the petal is light yellow and the inner half is dark red. The heart of the flower is black.
There are a huge variety of beautiful decorative sunflowers, giant and very small, bouquet ones, and if you want to grow such a positive miracle in your garden, you will certainly find suitable seeds in online stores.
Sunflower is a flower that gives a charge of optimism and love of life due to its bright yellow petals and shape reminiscent of the sun. But besides this, this agricultural crop is a valuable supplier of vegetable oil, rich in antioxidants and vitamins of youth (tocopherol or vitamin E). The full characteristics of sunflower presented on this page will help you get to know the plant better and learn about all its positive qualities. The article also talks about how to grow sunflowers on your personal plot and get not only lush flowering, but also healthy seeds. Agricultural techniques that allow you to grow a rich harvest are given. You should start studying with the question of where to plant sunflowers so that the crop develops as quickly as possible and is filled with a harvest of seeds.
What does a sunflower look like: the leaves of the plant in the photo
Sunflower (Helianthus annus) belongs to the Asteraceae family.
Sunflower comes from North America. This is an ancient culture. During archaeological excavations, its seeds were found, the age of which was determined to be 2000–3000 years. The “flower of the sun,” as the sunflower was called, was worshiped in Ancient Mexico, its image was made of gold. Absolutely everyone knows what a sunflower looks like when in full bloom. But few people are familiar with sunflower leaves; if you think about it, you won’t immediately remember them appearance. The head (flower) makes such an unforgettable impression.
Sunflower was brought to Europe from North America. Once in Russia under Peter I, this plant was grown only for decorative purposes for several decades. Currently, sunflower has become the main oilseed crop in our country.
Sunflower is widespread in the southern regions of Russia as a field crop, and in more northern regions as a silage crop.
See what a sunflower looks like in the photo of the plant, which illustrates the leaves, stem and inflorescences:
Where and how are the benefits of sunflower used?
Speaking about where sunflower is used, it is worth mentioning that it is interesting to botanists for its curious adaptations to life and, perhaps, even more interesting to everyone as one of the most useful cultivated plants.
The entire process of improving and creating the cultural sunflower that is now known to each of us took place in our country. Russia can rightfully be called the birthplace of cultivated sunflower. The fact is that in Western Europe, where sunflower seeds were exported from overseas more than once, this plant was bred more often as an ornamental or as a garden (“gnawing crop”). In all these cases, these were branched forms with small numerous baskets of flowers, as they grew in their homeland in the steppes and semi-deserts. Neither the inhabitants of Western Europe nor the inhabitants of the American prairies thought of such a discovery as to use sunflower as an oilseed plant. The French began to do this in the 19th century, but for some reason they abandoned it.
But in Russia in 1779, the Academic News published an article “On the preparation of oil from sunflower seeds.” The famous Russian agronomist Bolotov himself tried to obtain sunflower oil on his estate at the end of the 18th century. The benefits of sunflower were enormous, since the crop supplied the farm with useful cake for livestock and excellent quality aromatic oil.
In the 30s of the last century, the serf peasant Bokarev from the settlement of Alekseevka, Voronezh province, began to cultivate sunflowers in his garden, process the seeds in a manual butter churn and obtain excellent edible oil. Bokarev began selling butter to others; sunflower crops began to spread, and the plant itself, carefully cultivated on fertile black earth soil, kept improving its qualities, reducing the number of flower baskets, but increasing them in size. This is how the cultural golden-yellow “flower of the sun” was created in Russia and Ukraine.
What is the structure of flowers in a sunflower inflorescence: what features are there
The head or inflorescence of a sunflower - this well-known most useful plant- of course, the largest of all the flowers that are closely familiar to us. A head up to 40 centimeters in diameter is not such a rarity, but this is the size of a Victoria flower. However, here we have to make a reservation that in Victoria we are really talking about one flower, and the head of a sunflower is a whole “inflorescence”, a whole “basket”, as botanists say. The structure of the sunflower flower is amazing: large head you can count more than a thousand small buds. Small flowers collected in “baskets” occur, of course, not only in sunflowers, but in many plants, such as chamomile, burdock, dandelion, cornflower, sow thistle, etc., etc.
To understand what kind of inflorescence a sunflower has, it is best to examine its head at a time when the faded flowers at the edges are already falling off, exposing the seeds that are beginning to ripen. At this time you can see flowers at all ages.
What is the result of this combination of colors? What is the role of each flower in this inflorescence? The main task is to create as much as possible good seeds for sunflower propagation. In order for a flower to become a seed, pollen must land on the stigma of the pistil. The seed will be better if the pollen is taken from another flower or brought from another sunflower.
Pollen transfer must be carried out by insects. But it may happen that for some reason the insects will not do this. In this case, the flower, which has not received pollen from the outside, must, as they say, “at worst”, self-pollinate. If outside pollination has already been carried out, additional self-pollination is useless. If there was no external pollination, then self-pollination produces a seed, although not always a very good one. So, each flower faces the following task: we must avoid self-pollination and try to get pollen from the outside, but if this fails, then in order not to go to waste, self-pollination should be done. Let's see how flowers cope with such a tricky task.
Small buds are placed in the very middle, then larger buds further down. These are “children” and “teenagers”. Then the already blossoming flowers begin, from which dark anthers stick out, stuck together like a muff. These are flowers experiencing the male period of their lives. They provide pollen that spills out into the muff. The pistil growing inside the muff - with the stigma still closed and therefore incapable of pollination - pushes the pollen upward. Nectar is already secreted inside the flower at this time. A bee sucking this nectar certainly touches the pollen and carries it away.
Further from the middle of the head there are flowers that have already completed the male period of life and begun the female period. The pistils extended above the anthers, the stigmas opened. The nectar continues to be released. A bee, which has already visited male flowers and is soiled with pollen, searches female flowers and, touching the stigmas, produces pollination.
Even further from the middle of the head there are even older flowers. The pistils have shortened, the stigmas have curled up so that they can touch the pollen of their own flower. At this time in the flower’s life, self-pollination occurs, if there was no external pollination before. Now the nectar is no longer secreted; the flower is clogged with dust particles and stigma pressed against each other. A bee, having flown up to such a flower, does not linger, but hurries to younger flowers, where it can feast on benefits both for itself and for the sunflower.
During the life of a flower, the anthers first rise up, then fall back down. The threads of the stamens first have to stretch out, then shorten. They either straighten or curl into curls. In order to have a place for these curls to fit, a spacious chamber is prudently arranged in the flower, making the flower look like a glass swollen at the bottom. Closer to the edge of the head, the flowers completely withered and fell off, exposing a “pavement” of seeds sitting in regular rows.
The structure of the flowers in the sunflower inflorescence is unique and distinguishes the buds from each other: reed flowers sit in a ring along the very edge of the head. These are sterile flowers that do not produce seeds. They have neither stamens nor pistils. There are only large bright corollas. Their purpose is only to show off; but even in this they serve the common cause. Thanks to these barren flowers, insects from a distance see the dark heads of sunflowers surrounded by golden yellow crowns. But which sunflower flowers bear tasty and aromatic seeds are those that are located in the center of the head.
Around the reed ring flowers coming wrap ring. These are green leaves, like tiles, overlapping each other. The wrapper fulfilled its main purpose at the time when the head of the sunflower was still a bud, when the rudiments of flowers were just emerging inside the bud. Then these rudiments were so tender that they had to be protected from cold, and from dampness, and from all kinds of pests.
Sunflower inflorescence is one of the clearest examples that ingenious adaptation to life that manifests itself in everything flora, and throughout the world of organic nature. This fitness has long represented a mysterious riddle, the natural and ingeniously simple solution of which was found by Darwin.
Sunflower plant: botanical description of the culture
Beginning botanical description sunflower, it is worth noting that this is a well-known field oilseed crop, belongs to the Asteraceae family, it is an annual herbaceous plant from 1 to 1.25 m in height. It has a branched tap root. The stem is simple, like the leaves, rough.
Continuing the description of the sunflower culture, let's say that the lower leaves are alternate, petiolate, heart-ovate, and the upper ones are elliptical. In large, petiolate, heart-shaped, serrated leaves, the ends are bent outward, flowing down them. rainwater. Thin streams of such water absorb the sunflower roots. A mass of small lateral roots extend from one main root, which do not extend beyond the crown of leaves.
Continuing the description of the sunflower plant, it is worth mentioning that its flowers are yellow, apical, collected in a large drooping basket with a diameter of up to 25 cm, which turns towards the sun. The outer flowers are large, yellow, lingual, sterile; the internal ones are tubular, smaller, yellow-brown, bisexual, located along the entire inner surface of the basket. These inflorescences, reminiscent of the radiant sun, provided the sunflower with both Russian and scientific name: from the Greek words helios - sun and anthos - flower.
False-ligulate bright yellow flowers are located on the outside of the inflorescence; they do not form achenes, but by increasing the surface of the basket, they attract insects. The inner tubular flowers are fertile; after they bloom, achenes are formed, known to everyone as seeds containing oil and other useful substances.
The fruit is an oblong ovoid achene, striped or black. Blooms in July-August, ripens in August-September.
This plant has the unique ability to turn its head after the sun, tracing its entire path from sunrise to sunset.
Sunflower has quite a lot decorative forms: with variegated leaves; double inflorescences consisting of reed flowers; with double, spherical inflorescences, made of tubular flowers; varied colors of the middle flowers (yellow, brown or purple and others).
Currently, many different varieties and hybrids have been developed.
Look what a sunflower flower looks like in the photo showing different shapes cultural development:
The best sunflower varieties: description and photo
Considering the best varieties sunflower, it is worth dividing them into decorative and agricultural. The description of sunflower varieties presented below will allow you to choose the right one. planting material for your site.
The flagship belongs to mid-season varieties sunflower: the plant reaches a height of 210 cm. The oil content of the seeds is 55–56%. Ecologically stable high-yielding variety, resistant to broomrape, false powdery mildew, sunflower moth, Phomopsis. If sowing was done on May 15, then harvesting can begin on September 15.
Gourmand– a highly productive mid-season universal variety, which is grown both for oil production and for the confectionery industry, has large seeds with good taste. The variety is resistant to sunflower moth, broomrape, and downy mildew; it can be grown in almost all zones, but it is recommended for cultivation in the forest-steppe zone.
Spring– early medium-yielding variety of sunflower. The oil content of the seeds is 53%. The plant is resistant to broomrape and downy mildew. It can be sown until June 15, gives good harvests during drought. Distributed in the steppe zone.
Buzuluk– high-yielding ultra-early low-growing variety. The plant is resistant to rot, powdery mildew, Phomopsis, and tolerates drought well.
Look at these sunflower varieties in the photo, which demonstrates the strongest qualities of a particular species:
Conditions and features of growing sunflower (with video)
The peculiarities of growing sunflowers are that they are planted in a sunny place protected from the wind. It can grow on any garden soil, but most clearly shows its decorative qualities on fertile, light, loose and slightly acidic or neutral soil.
The conditions for growing sunflowers are not tricky, and care includes trimming faded inflorescences so that the plant can continue to bloom. In open, windy areas, you need to tie the stem to stakes.
The plant loves regular watering, and abundant watering is recommended. It responds well to feeding with complex mineral and organic fertilizers.
It is propagated by seeds, which are sown directly into the ground in mid-May, in nests of 2–3 seeds, to a depth of 2–3 cm. Sunflower shoots appear 6–8 days after sowing. Flowering occurs 75–80 days after emergence.
In cultural horticulture, both tall, medium and low varieties have been bred.
Watch how sunflower cultivation is carried out in the video, which shows some agricultural techniques:
Sunflower care and cultivation
When planning the proper care of sunflowers, it is worth knowing that they can be sown on chernozems, chestnut and gray forest soils, while saline, acidic and sandy soils are not suitable for this crop.
The optimal temperature for seed growth is +20–25 °C. The plant can withstand frosts down to -6 °C. It is light-loving and very demanding nutrients culture, especially in the first half of plant development.
Field for growing sunflowers at proper care and compliance with agricultural technology, crops can be used again only after 7-10 years. Good predecessors for this crop will be corn, winter wheat, legumes.
Basic soil preparation depends on the condition of the field. In the fall, before plowing, the field should be cultivated several times (including peeling, harrowing, plowing), if there are perennial weeds, and in the spring, harrowing and cultivation should be carried out.
Phosphorus and potash fertilizers applied for main plowing in autumn, for spring cultivation - nitrogen fertilizers. Along with sowing, a small portion of phosphorus fertilizers is also applied to the side of the row.
Sunflower should be sown after early spring crops, when average daily temperature soil + 10–12 °C. Before sowing, the seeds must be treated or treated with microbiological preparations, and then rolled.
Soil herbicides can be applied before planting or replaced by harrowing before seedlings emerge. To increase productivity, hives with bees can be taken out into the field. Sunflower harvesting begins when 85% of all heads turn brown.
The use of medicinal and beneficial properties of sunflower in medicine
It is interesting that sunflower, brought from Mexico to Spain in 1569 and spread throughout Europe, has long been ornamental plant. Hats and even suits were decorated with large basket-shaped inflorescences. The practical use of sunflower began after one peasant in the Voronezh province first obtained sunflower oil from seeds. Then oil mills were built. Currently, sunflower varieties have been developed whose seeds contain more than 50% fat.
Medicinal raw materials containing beneficial features sunflower, are the marginal flowers and leaves, mature achenes. Flowers are collected throughout the summer at the beginning of the flowering of a particular plant. Only green leaves, undamaged by insects or diseases, are picked, and only bright yellow flowers are picked, and they are pulled out of the baskets without damaging them and immediately dried in a dark room. The leaves are air-dried in the shade or in dryers.
Finished raw materials - green leaves with petioles up to 3 cm in length, bright yellowish flowers with a honey smell - are stored for 2 years.
The medicinal properties of sunflower lie in the fact that the leaves contain resins, rubber, provitamin A (carotene), and the flowers contain glycosides, choline and betaine. The fruits contain a lot of fatty oil. Sunflower oil, obtained from the fruit, is included in creams and ointments as the main medicinal component or replaces more expensive components. Used as a laxative, recommended for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis (since it contains unsaturated fatty acids).
IN folk medicine Sunflower flowers and leaves are used in the form of tincture in the treatment of febrile conditions, malaria and as a bitter to improve appetite. Roasted sunflower oil is used in the form of oil dressings to treat wounds and burns, and as part of a honey-milk drink to soothe the throat when coughing. Young sunflower baskets are used to prepare vitamin-rich salads; along with germinated seeds, they help improve immunity.
Sunflower preparations relax the smooth muscles of internal organs, lower body temperature, stimulate appetite, and have an expectorant effect.
In folk medicine, a decoction of reed flowers is drunk for jaundice, heart disease, bronchial spasms and gastrointestinal colic, for malaria, influenza, and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. An alcohol tincture of reed flowers (and sometimes leaves) is effective for fever and neuralgia. Instead of tincture, you can use a decoction, which is used as a diuretic and also as a remedy for diarrhea. The oil obtained from sunflower has high nutritional qualities and energy value. Used as prophylactic with atherosclerosis, which is due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Boiled sunflower oil is used as a healing agent for fresh wounds and burns in the form of oil dressings.
Flowers, leaves, fruits and sunflower oil are used in medicine for diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Flowers and leaves are used as an anti-fever remedy, alcohol tincture They are drunk from them for malaria, influenza, and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. Fresh seeds help with allergies (urticaria, etc.).
In England, young sunflower heads are used to make salads.
Sunflower seeds contain a large amount of oil, which includes glycerides of palmitic, stearic, arachidonic, lignoceric, oleic and linoleic acids, up to 19.1% protein, 26.5% carbohydrates, about 2% phytin and 1.5% tannins.
In cosmetology, warm oil applications are used to treat dry, aging skin of the face and hands.
Used in traditional medicine healing properties sunflower and its marginal flowers, from which an alcoholic tincture is prepared, used for malaria and as a means of stimulating the appetite of patients.
Oil is obtained from the seed kernels; the fruit shell (husk) can be used as fuel. Husk ash is rich in mineral salts and can be used both as a valuable fertilizer and for technical purposes. Sunflower cakes serve good food for fattening animals. In addition, the plant can be used for silage; it is a good honey plant.
Sunflower is the most widespread industrial crop in Russia. Almost everything vegetable oil in the Russian Federation they make it from it.
All sunflower varieties can be divided into groups:
- oilseeds with small seeds and large kernels, in which the fat content ranges from 53 to 63%;
- gnawing with large seeds, the fat content of which is much lower - only 20–35%. The plants are quite large and are often planted for silage.
