No one likes droopy sunflowers – so pay attention to this one expert tip which will keep them looking perky and living longer by avoiding this one household spot
If you want to prevent your sunflowers from drooping prematurely, experts warn to avoid putting them in this one popular spot.
Sunflowers are strongly linked with summertime. They have cheerful, broad yellow faces and can grow up to one foot tall: making them impressive features in any household. But while they thrive in the sunnier parts of the year, experts warn that too much heat can actually damage them.
It might seem tempting to place your sunflower on top of your windowsill. After all, that’s where they receive the strongest sunlight. But it also means they can heat up too quickly.
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Expert florist David Denyer from Eflorist says: “To maximise the lifespan of your cut sunflowers, keep them in a cool spot, away from direct heat sources such as radiators or sunny windowsills . ”
This is because temperature affects their longevity. David explains, “Extreme heat can make them wilt faster; instead, choose a cool, well-ventilated area to keep them happy for longer.”
Wilting is just one symptom of sunflowers experiencing excessive heat. Other signs your sunflower is too warm include drooping leaves and sun scald – which results in the disintegration of plant tissue.
Another great way to keep your sunflower healthy is to make sure their vase is filled with fresh water. David recommends keeping the water level high enough to cover stems, but to avoid submerging the flower heads.
You should also take care to change the water either every day or every other day. Otherwise, it can lead to bacterial growth, which can damage or kill your plant.
Equally, not watering your sunflowers regularly can also cause severe problems – like blossom end rot. This is a nutrition deficiency in plants which can cause dark leathery patches to appear on the tissue.
Another tip to keep your sunflower in top shape is to trim the stems. This will improve your plant’s water intake and in turn their nutrient absorption.
David suggests using a sharp knife or scissors to make a cut. He also recommends trimming them at an angle allows water to be absorbed more efficiently.
If your sunflower heads have already started to droop, don’t worry. David says you can revive them by re-cutting the stems and placing them in fresh water to give them a boost.
Though, David cautions: “Just be careful not to cut too much off at once. A couple of inches is usually enough.”
