Como CULTIVAR GIRASSOL: todos os segredos revelados

Few flowers are as easy to recognize as the sunflower. The plant that produces a huge yellow flower is synonymous with joy and abundance. You can grow it in pots and closely follow the incredible cycle of its flower. Our gardener Carol Costa has prepared a dossier to give you tips on how to learn everything about the giant yellow sunflower. With forty-nine species, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) originated in North America and conquered the world. Its origin gives a clue to the climate in which it develops best: milder temperatures and a drier environment. This is an annual plant, meaning it has a short life cycle. Hence the scientific name of the sunflower: Helianthus annuus (annual sun flower). Take the opportunity to follow the germination of the sunflower, enjoy the opening of the flower and be amazed by the transformation of its center into a bunch of new little seeds. There is no way to extend this plant cycle, no matter how much you pamper your sunflower. Enjoy and savor the moment, little green one! To keep your sunflower happy, moist but not waterlogged soil is essential. Before watering, use the finger test, touching the substrate with your index finger. If your finger comes out dirty, don't water; there is still moisture in the soil. If the plant has wilted leaves, it may be a lack of sun, not a lack of water. Test before watering and, if possible, move the pot with the plant to a place that receives plenty of sun. Almost always, the plant concentrates its energy developing a single flower, even if more buds appear – these serve as a reserve, in case something goes wrong with the main flower. What we call a flower is actually a group of mini-flowers. The petals are modified leaves (sepals), and the center has numerous flowers that, after being pollinated, will transform into the well-known sunflower seeds. The sepals serve to signal to pollinators that there is free food there, and the insects will pollinate in exchange for this hospitality. Carol shows bees and ladybugs working hard on the sunflowers at Bloemen Park to get their dose of nectar. Some pests can attack the plant, but the sunflower benefits much more from the company of insects than without them. Ladybugs, a type of beetle with spots and easily confused with ladybugs, pierce its leaves to suck the sap, as do other beetles and crickets. If you notice bites on the edges of the leaves, give the plant a good look: it's a sign of caterpillars in the area. Here's a simple way to get rid of them: gloves and manual removal. If you need help, invite birds; they will do the picking for you. Attract the beetles with fruit and clean water. If the caterpillar infestation becomes too large, use biological control (link at the end of the text). Powdery mildew, a fungus that develops in dry environments, can appear on sunflower leaves. If you notice some white spots on the leaves, similar to mold, you can be sure it's powdery mildew. There's a video explaining how to combat the fungus using horsetail tea (link at the end of the text). If the leaf is completely white, there's not much that can be done, unfortunately. A common problem is noticing that a bud has appeared and remains closed – a sign that your sunflower needs fertilizer. Bokashi is a very complete fertilizer and using it will be very important for the plant to flower and also to remain strong and more resistant to pests. Powdery mildew: – https://minhasplantas.com.br/tv/praga... Biological control – https://www.netshopgarden.com.br/prod...