Bright, sunny yellow flowers are the hallmark of sunflower plants, and the blooms make this a lovely plant. Sunflowers are easy to grow and produce abundant bold yellow flowers. Annual and perennial cultivars are available, with both types blooming during the summer and fall. Sunflowers are easy to grow, but it's possible the plant may not flower if the conditions are less than ideal. Getting a sunflower to bloom is possible, so don’t worry if the buds are not opening.
Common Reasons Why Sunflowers Isn’t Blooming
There are a variety of reasons why sunflowers may not bloom. Fortunately, all of the reasons this plant is not blooming are fixable. Sunflowers need full sunlight, and plants grown in shade may not bloom. Remember that changes to your space can influence your plants, so a perennial plant that has previously bloomed may not if other plants have filled in and are now blocking sunlight.
Extreme care in either direction can prevent plants from blooming or setting as many blooms. Too much or not enough pruning can be a problem, as well as not fertilizing, fertilizing too much, or using improper plant food. Failing to repot potted plants or repotting into a too-big container is equally problematic.
Pruning Sunflowers To Help It Bloom
It’s advisable to prune sunflowers in the spring to encourage bushier growth and more branching. Failing to prune sunflowers in the spring can result in fewer blooms. Prune perennial sunflowers a second time during mid-summer to remove leggy growth and encourage more branching. Well-branched plants do not have to support unnecessary growth and will produce more flowers. Annual sunflowers should not be pruned after buds emerge.
Fertilizing Sunflowers To Help It Bloom
Sunflowers are heavy feeders. Give the plants rich soil and fertilizer to support growth and flowers. Feed sunflowers in the spring when planting or when new growth emerges for perennial plants. Sunflowers should be fertilized with a balanced plant food, with a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK ratio. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, which supports foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Sunflowers can do well with fertilizers low in nitrogen and higher levels of phosphorus and potassium.
Get Sunflowers To Produce More Blooms
Get your sunflower to produce more flowers by ensuring the plant receives plenty of sunlight. Sunflowers need at least 8 hours of sunlight daily to produce abundant blooms. Ensure the plant is adequately watered and receives proper nutrition via rich soil and fertilizer applications. Prune perennial plants to remove leggy growth and faded blooms, which will redirect energy into flower production.
Why Sunflowers Isn’t Blooming
- Improper fertilization or lack of nutrient-rich soil
- Inadequate sunlight
- Overgrown or poorly branched plant
 |
Author Alison Cotsonas - Published 05-01-2023 |