There are sunflowers , and then there are SUNFLOWERS ! gigantic sunflowers are the king of sunflowers . If you desire to wow your kids , the neighbors , or even the squirrel , these are the sunflower you should grow .
Mammoth Sunflowers are an heirloom variety that start in North America . They are prized for their enormous head that can spring up up to 14 inches across . helianthus stalks can get as grandiloquent as 12 fundament and as extensive as a pocket-size Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree cutting . The thick stem support the weight of the enceinte head full of delicious helianthus seed . Plant Mammoth Sunflower Seeds for a beautiful helianthus that stands tall in your garden and render you a lot of seeds to use up .
Sunflowers are iconic summer blooms , with their brilliant xanthous flower petal beam from a cardinal chocolate - color magnetic disc . But occasionally , you may hit upon an quirkiness – a mammoth helianthus romp not just one , but a hoi polloi of smaller heads budding off the stem . What make this mutation , and should you be concerned ? have ’s delve into the science behind mammoth helianthus blossom gone rascal .
Typical Traits of Mammoth Sunflowers
First , to understand the unnatural , we must research the normal . Mammoth sunflower varieties are bred to be , well , mammoth . They can tower over other sunflower at heights over 12 feet , with massive cum psyche span 1 foot or more in diameter .
The genetics behind most gigantic sunflower like Mammoth Gray Stripe produce a single large concluding blossom on each works . LOWERCASE But nature sometimes has other plans . Cross - pollenation can introduce unexpected traits , and mammoth occasionally demonstrate multiple smaller heads bourgeon from leaf axils down the stem .
Causes of Multiple Heads
This fasciation mutation likely arises from cross - breeding If gigantic plant life are grow near small multi - headed sunflowers like the motley Valentine , visiting pollinators may channelize some mutant gene . The lead seedling express both parent ’ traits
While not ideal for gigantic stock breeder seeking that staring solitary mega - blush , these multi - headed mammoths are n’t prejudicious . They simply amuse energy into several smaller flowers rather than one tremendous one . If desiring a single bloom , pruning off the auxiliary buds may help the plant life focus imagination .
Stability of the Mutation
Will those odd adjunct heads remain if planting the seeds ? Possibly , but sport often revert and stabilize over generations .
One gardener report a multi - headed helianthus that produced fifth contemporaries seeds still exhibiting proliferation . However , the act of heads slowly declined each generation , suggesting a gradual return to the expected individual mammoth question .
No Cause for Concern
So what happens if your mammoth sunflower start burgeon forth extra flush ? No want to worry . This mutant does n’t harm the flora although it may reduce the size of the main flower . The cause is probable cross - pollenation and introgression of a proliferating sunflower variety in late ancestry .
While stability varies , in most eccentric the mutation will languish over generation if seed from the large main heads are replanted Otherwise , embrace the diversity and love the bonus flowers The bee sure as shooting wo n’t complain !
Enjoying Multi-Headed Sunflower Varieties
For those enchanted by helianthus ’ golden crowns , at times discovering a mammoth plant flaunting frilly rows of duplicate blush can be a delightful surprisal . But why go out such delights to chance ? Some helianthus varieties are actually breed to be multi - headed ! Consider give these varieties a try :
Sundance Kid – This midget sunflower reaches just 2 - 3 foot marvellous but has a prolifically fork-like substance abuse supporting multiple 4 - 6 inch blooms .
Florenza – With tiptop around 3 feet , each works bears 5 - 15 medium 4 - 6 inch flower head .
Soraya – A mid - sized helianthus topping off around 5 feet magniloquent and lined with bunch of 3 inch yellow petaled flowers with dark centers .
Paula – A dual - flowered var. producing rowing of small yellow - Orange River pompom like sector along each leg .
The Allure of Anomalies
attend gigantic sunflowers flaunting tiny offshoot flowers reminds us of nature ’s endless creativity . While mutations can be irregular , they provide valuable variety . Occasional crosses between plant varieties generate new possibility which may become beautiful new cultivars .
So if your mammoth sunflower startle stock a few extra blooms , prize them for add charm and whimsy to your garden . The flowers will still be lovely , and you ’ll have an challenging story behind their strange ontogeny . Sometimes anomalies are not mistakes , but felicitous chance event get more beauty into the human race .
How to Plant Mammoth Sunflower Seeds
Sunflowers are one of the easiest blossom to grow . And the same holds genuine for Mammoth Sunflowers . But because they are so big , there are some things you should know to get a great harvest of helianthus seeds .
Sow Right Seeds – Mammoth sunflowers growing next to the barn .
Sowing Mammoth sunflower seeds outdoors
Mammoth sunflower seeds are simple to inseminate directly into the background outside .
flora seed 1 ” bass . Sunflower seeds do n’t need light to bourgeon ; this depth will keep them off from birds .
Put nett over the seeds until they are pullulate to keep birds and other animals from eat them .
Plant 2 to 3 seed per place in case one gets exhaust . Once they have germinate , thin out to keep the strong plant .
