Life Cycle of a Red Sunflower
- The seed stage is the beginning of the life cycle. Red sunflower seeds are purchased online or at a garden center. After the chance of frost has passed, these annuals are sewn outdoors. Starting them indoors and then transplanting the seedlings to the garden is a popular alternative.
- Germination of the red sunflower takes five to 12 days. Ideal soil temperatures can vary, ranging from as low as 39 F to as high as 70 F. The seed germinates quicker in warmer soil. The soil should be kept moist to aid the germinating process as the seed husk softens in damp soil, allowing the very first root to emerge and the first leaves to push to the surface.
- The best growth of the sunflower is attained when the temperature is between 70 and 78 F. The red sunflower's taproot grows downward to anchor the plant; the other, smaller roots grow laterally out from the stem base. Larger, single-flower varieties grow visibly taller every day. The growth of the many-headed, smaller varieties is less noticeable but just as steady.
- Reproduction involves the flower and the eventual creation of the seeds, or fruit. The flower bud becomes visible at the tip of the stem and then increases in size to unfurl its petals. The petals of the sunflower cover and protect the actual flowers, the disc florets that make up the flower center and will become the seeds. The sunflower drops its petals when the florets are ready to mature. When the petals drop, the center florets swell and turn into seeds.
- With the seeds ripening, the sunflower begins to yellow and shed leaves as it focuses energy on the maturing seed head. Once the red sunflower seeds are fully ripe and drop to the ground, the plant stops all growth, its life cycle complete. The sunflower begins to wilt and will eventually die.
