Growing sunflowers with children is a wonderful way to connect them with the natural world. From the perspective of the sunflower plant itself, this process is a fascinating journey of growth, driven by simple needs. By understanding what the plant requires at each stage, you can ensure a successful and educational experience for your young gardeners.
From my point of view as a sunflower seed, I am a dormant life form waiting for the right signals to awaken. My hard shell protects the embryo and a small food supply inside. To break my dormancy, I need consistent moisture and warmth. This is a critical first step for kids to understand. Have them plant me about 1 to 1.5 inches deep in the soil, and then water the area gently but thoroughly. The water softens my shell and triggers internal processes, telling the embryo it's time to grow. The soil temperature should be at least 50°F (10°C), but I prefer it closer to 70-80°F (21-27°C) for optimal germination. Patience is key here; it will take 7 to 14 days for me to push my first roots down and my first shoots up towards the light.
Once I break through the soil as a seedling, my needs change immediately. My most crucial requirement now is sunlight. My first leaves, called cotyledons, are already formed and will feed me initially. But my true leaves are developing, and they need full sun to perform photosynthesis—the process of converting light, water, and carbon dioxide into food. Place me in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water remains essential, but the approach should be different. Encourage kids to water me at the base, close to the soil, rather than spraying the leaves. This helps prevent fungal diseases and ensures the water goes directly to my roots where it's needed. The soil should be kept moist but never soggy.
This is my fastest growth period. My stem will thicken and stretch upwards, and my leaves will multiply and expand. To support this rapid development, I need space, nutrients, and consistent water. If you planted multiple seeds close together, this is the time to thin the seedlings. Choose the strongest one or two plants and carefully remove the others. This gives my roots room to spread out and access more water and food. While I'm not a heavy feeder, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be helpful at this stage. Kids can help mix it into the soil around my base. My stem is also becoming strong, but if you live in a windy area, providing a small stake for support early on can prevent me from toppling over later.
The appearance of a bud at the top of my stem signals the beginning of the most spectacular stage. This bud will slowly open to reveal a composite flower made of hundreds of tiny florets. The large, colorful "petals" around the edge are actually sterile ray flowers whose job is to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. The central disk florets will produce pollen and nectar. This is a perfect time for kids to observe pollinators at work. After pollination, these florets will develop into seeds. As this happens, you'll notice my flower head, which once followed the sun (heliotropism), will become heavy and often face east. I will need less water now. When the back of my flower head turns yellow-brown and the seeds look plump, they are nearly ready for harvest.
As my leaves yellow and my stem dries, my life cycle is coming to an end. But my goal of reproduction has been achieved. To harvest the seeds, cut the flower head with a long section of stem. Kids can rub the seeds loose from the head. Some seeds can be saved for planting next year (ensure they are fully dry and stored in a cool, dry place), while others can be roasted for a tasty snack for birds or even themselves. Leaving a few flower heads in the garden through the winter can also provide food for wildlife and may even result in a few volunteer sunflowers next spring, starting the magical cycle all over again.
