How To Plant Mammoth Sunflower Seeds?
Mammoth sunflowers are one of the most popular varieties of sunflowers. They grow to be very large, often reaching over 10 feet tall! The flowers are also quite large, often measuring over a foot in diameter.
Things required;
- Organic mammoth sunflower Seeds
- Fertile Soil
- Watering Can/Hose
- Shovel
- Sunlight!
The procedure of planting mammoth sunflower seeds
is pretty simple. All you need is some good quality, fertile soil and some water. You will also need a shovel to dig the holes for the seeds.
1. First, you need to find a spot in your garden with plenty of sunlight. Mammoth sunflowers need at least 6 hours sunlight each day to grow properly.
2. Once you have found a sunny spot, use your shovel to dig some holes for the seeds. The holes should be about 6 inches deep and 12 inches apart.
3. Place one seed in each hole and gently backfill the holes with soil.
4. Water the seeds well and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
5. The seeds should germinate within 10-14 days. Once they have germinated, thin out the seedlings from birds so that only the strongest one remains in each hole.
6. When the plants are about 6 inches tall, you can fertilize them with good quality, all-purpose fertilizer.
7. Continue to water the plants regularly; soon, you will have towering sunflowers in your garden.
Mammoth sunflowers are one of the most popular varieties of fast-growing sunflowers. They grow to be very large, often reaching over 10 feet tall! The flowers are also quite large, often measuring over a foot in diameter.
Planting mammoth sunflower seedlings or seeds is a great option to add dramatic height to your garden. These striking plants are sure to add some wow factor to any garden!
Tips for planting mammoth sunflower seeds
1. Sunlight for mammoth sunflower seeds
Organic mammoth sunflower taproots and seeds must be grown in direct sunlight to reach their peak heights. They require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. On the other hand, they develop more effective and attain a greater height when exposed to the sun for close to eight hours per day. You can plant them in shaded areas, but you should anticipate that their growth will be slowed and their flowers will be less impressive.
It would help if you also planted your family sunflowers in a spot that is protected from the elements. They will have some protection from the heavy wind damage as a result of this. If the shorter stalks of your plants look like they could use support, you might also want to stake them.
2. Soil
Mammoth sunflower seeds are extremely versatile when it comes to the types of soils in which they can grow. They can even flourish in very sandy soils and tolerate clay soils. These sunflower seeds don’t mind where they’re planted either; they can grow in any environment.
Sand, silt, and clay are the three primary components of loam soil and contain the ideal amount of organic matter. It is well recognized for its ability to drain water while maintaining its capacity to hold water. It is usual to grow a wide variety of plants in loam soil, and enormous demand for sunflower oil are not an exception to this rule. Although mammoth sunflowers oil do best when planted in loam soil, you can grow them in various types of soil.
You should always avoid planting your seed in an air-tight container with soil. Instead, sow them directly into the ground. Once planted in the ground, they’ll quickly develop a strong, deep, extensive root system. Don’t ever replant young plants.
3. Watering mammoth sunflower seeds
It is vital to provide your mammoth sunflower flowers and plants with consistent watering throughout the first six weeks after planting them. First, maintain a consistent moisture level in the soil around your planted seeds. Be on the watch for ponded water that has pooled on the surface of the soil type because this could indicate poor drainage or soil that is still frozen. The gallons of water shouldn’t pool on the soil surface but should instead seep freely into the ground and go down past the seed.
Once the mammoth sunflower seeds have germinated, they don’t need much water to grow into mature plants. Sunflowers can survive on the inch of water they absorb from the soil temperature and any rain or snow that falls on them, but some gardeners choose not to. But these plants often need supplemental watering to reach their full potential in height.
Sunflower plants don’t require any special care if they’re grown in regions where there is sufficient rainfall. However, if you live in an area that doesn’t receive enough rain, you might want to consider watering them once per month.
Depending on the temperature, I typically water my sunflower output weekly. However, if the weather is particularly warm, I usually water them twice a week. It is advisable to water right at the soil level rather than watering the leaves of the plants because this prevents moisture from getting on the foliage and could potentially transmit disease. In addition, I like to water the plant’s first thing in the morning while the temperatures are still somewhat chilly.
4. Fertilizing mammoth sunflower seeds
Some growers like to add some nutrients to the soil to increase their chances of producing the tallest possible mammoth sunflower flowers. This is because the majority of mammoth sunflower plants can develop quite fine without the use of fertilizer. Heavy feeder plants need fertilizers to grow tall and strong stems.
Compost prepared at home, aged manure, and even packaged fertilizer products are all examples of different types of fertilizers. When applying a product, make sure to follow the instructions provided on the packaging exactly as written. Products that come in the form of liquid flower fertilizer are particularly well-liked among farmers of big sunflower varieties who are vying to produce the tallest sunflower production possible. Since the nutrients are already in the solution, they must be used frequently. Utilize an organic fertilizer that has a delayed release for a less labor-intensive alternative.
5. Harvesting mammoth sunflower seeds
Large, tasty, nutritious, and packed with healthy oils, Russian mammoth sunflower seed kernels are a portion of popular snack food. Sunflower seed kernels typically mature in around 120-150 day intervals, depending on the variety. If you wish to preserve the kernel without risk of mold or mildew, you may choose to harvest the heads before they are fully mature. Alternatively, you may allow the heads to dry out naturally completely. Either way, you can then collect the dried kernels.
Please wait until the back of the search of sunflowers heads is still yellow when fully mature before drying them indoors. Cut the taller stalks off about six (6) to eight (8) centimeters below the flowers. Wait until the seed pods on the inside are no longer green, then collect the ripe ones. Hang the plants upside down so that the seed pods can dry out.
Be wary when drying the heads on the sturdy stalks because ravenous animals such as birds, squirrels, deer, and rabbits may get to the single flower heads before you do if you do not protect them with something like netting, cheesecloth, or something else of the sort. This might be a challenging task when dealing with such tall plants. After the heads have been left to dry, lop off the heads!
The sunflower seeds can be collected once the heads have completely withered. To do this, place a bucket underneath the plants’ heads and wear gardening gloves while handling the seed heads – they can get quite sticky. Once that’s done, gently brush the heads so the seeds drop into the bucket below. Either wash and dry them in sterilized ponded of waters, coat them lightly in vegetable oil, and bake them.
Moreover, you can also read our previous article about planting Mexican sunflower seeds.
Three reasons why you should plant mammoth sunflower seeds
Sunflowers of the Mammoth kind should be cultivated for various purposes. One of the most persuasive reasons for those who garden in their backyards to grow them is their impressive height.
During the late summer months, a giant mammoth sunflower can be seen from miles away, and it towers so high that everyone can admire its beauty.
Reasons #1
Mammoth flower heads can cast a shadow over another plant is another good reason to include them in your yard. The massive flower size of giant sunflower variety make them ideal for planting in areas that require shading. If you want another plant to have some shaded area, you might consider planting it beneath the protein-rich sunflower seeds. This would provide you with a combination of full sun plus partial shading. This also applies to vegetables that do best in cooler weather and could benefit from some late-day sun during the warmer months.
Reasons #2
The seeds that enormous sunflowers produce are the second compelling reason to cultivate these plants. The seeds of mammoth sunflowers can be consumed (and they taste great!). If you like sunflower seeds, you’ll probably like mammoth ones too. They have a similar texture and flavor. The seeds contain the traditional silver stripe that may be found on confectionary-style packaged producers of numerous sunflower seeds found in grocery stores. There are a lot of people that cultivate mammoth sunflowers only to eat the seeds. They are scrumptious, and eating them won’t do you any harm in any way!
Reasons #3
The fact that birds and bees are attracted to giant sunflowers plants further validates their cultivation. Butterflies lay their eggs on the sunflower heads and occasionally nestle into the stems of sunflower plants growing along the sunflower’s single stalk. The bright and cheerful yellow blossoms attract a lot of bees. Birds are attracted to the high protein content of sunflower seed kernels. During the autumn months, they will actively seek out sunflower plants to eat all over the landscape, especially near windows where they can watch the birds feed. Hang the sunflower plant from a tree near a living room window to enjoy watching the birds and butterflies together.
Conclusions
Consider planting mammoth sunflower seeds if you want an interesting and beautiful plant to add to your garden. The procedure is simple, and the rewards are many. Sunlight, soil, clean water per week, and fertilizer are all needed to help these giants grow. Plus, there are three great reasons why you should give them a try.
Hey'all I'm Amy, a born foodie and diagnosed with celiac disease 7 years ago. I refused to cave into tasteless, boring gulten free food and create my own!
On my blog you'll find info & cool facts along with recipes, all on gluten free foods!