Can old root sunflowers be propagated by cuttings (how to propagate sunflowers by cuttings so that they grow well and bloom more)

Old root sunflowers generally refer to the perennial sunflowers of the previous year. Their branches have become semi-lignified and they need to be propagated by cuttings using their new branches, otherwise the quality of their flowering will be lower than that of the previous year .

Old root sunflower cutting method

After the growth and flowering of the old root sunflower in the previous year, the branches have become slender and woody, and some branches are even bare. It is recommended to prune them properly in spring.

First increase the light and apply a little fertilizer to encourage it to resume vigorous growth, and then use its newly sprouted branches or side buds for cuttings. Such branches will be more active and the survival rate of cuttings will be higher.

Harvest seeds after the sunflower blooms

Except for the warm southern regions and sunflowers that use greenhouses or hothouses to overwinter, it is difficult for sunflowers in most areas to survive the winter naturally in outdoor environments.

However, the seeds that fell in the previous season have a certain self-seeding ability and may germinate naturally in the spring of the following year. This is why there is a certain probability that seedlings will naturally grow in the next year in the place where sunflowers were planted in the previous year.

Except for the fully double-petal varieties that are not easy to produce seeds, most single-petal and double-petal varieties can produce seeds even without artificial pollination.

The peak period of seed maturity is generally in autumn. You can collect some seeds during the seed maturity period for sowing and propagation in the spring of the following year. In comparison, the sown seedlings have higher flowering quality than the perennial seedlings propagated by cuttings.

Note: Sunflowers that are propagated by perennial root cuttings tend to grow too long and the flowering quality is difficult to meet expectations

In addition to propagation by sowing, sunflowers can also be propagated by cuttings. However, sunflowers propagated by perennial root cuttings generally have disadvantages such as easy growth, small and sparse flowers during the flowering period, and deformed flowers.

In addition to the above-mentioned shortcomings, the sunflower branches purchased online may also have the problem of flowering not matching the original ones, so if you have a favorite variety growing on your own, you should choose one that suits your taste.

It is best to keep the seeds for sowing and propagation in the next season, or take anti-freeze measures in winter to protect the roots and stems so that they can survive the winter smoothly. This way, at least the sunflowers you grow will be in the right shape.