So, let me guess, you stumbled upon a picture of teddy bear sunflowers online and instantly decided they’d be the perfect addition to your garden.
Well, that’s good, but you need to know how to properly grow these delicate flowers and care for them.
So Wait, What Are ‘Teddy Bear’ Sunflowers?
Before we actually get into the growing process, let’s first discuss what teddy bear sunflowers are. Since this variety isn’t widely known yet, many of you might be wondering what makes them so special.
Well, as the “teddy bear” in the name suggests, these sunflowers are fluffy, but not to any basic degree; they’re thick, spongy, and actually quite large in size.
The round outer fluff of the flowers almost resembles a lion’s mane, except it’s much brighter and more vibrant.
Step-By-Step Guide To Growing ‘Teddy Bear’ Sunflowers
A few years back, my mom sent me a picture of teddy bear sunflowers from an article, and I had the same reaction you might be having right now: I immediately wanted these fluffy, vibrant flowers in my backyard.
After a few weeks of experimentation and trial and error, we finally managed to grow a small patch of these exquisite flowers in her garden.
Step 1: Pick The Right Planting Location
Teddy bear sunflowers, or any sunflowers for that matter, absolutely do not do well in low light conditions. They need full sun and a minimum of 7 hours of sunlight each day to grow to their fullest potential.
Step 2: Prepare The Soil
This sunflower variety prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil. Make sure it’s well-drained and rich in nutrients to support optimal plant growth and flowering. If you believe your soil is nutrient deficient, try enriching it using organic matter like compost and well-rotted manure.
Step 3: Sow Your Seeds
When sowing seeds, one thing to make sure of is optimal spacing. You don’t want to plant teddy bear sunflowers too close together or else they’ll block sunlight and get tangled up. A distance of around 8-10 inches apart between seeds is ideal.
Step 4: Ensure Proper Care
Watering your sunflowers is essential for supporting growth. DO NOT let the plant go dry for long periods of time or else it can take a hit on flowering and potentially delay it. Fertilization can be beneficial but it’s completely optional.
Step 5: Long-Term Care
As your teddy bear sunflowers grow nice and tall, it’s best to support them with a stake, or else they can fall over and get easily damaged. Keep up with your pruning routine and trim the plants right after all the blooms fade.
Caring For ‘Teddy Bear’ Sunflowers
Caring for teddy bear sunflowers is rather simple. All they need is adequate sun exposure, well-drained soil, and proper hydration.
Plant them in a sunny spot where there’s plenty of sun shining directly on your plants. If soil drainage is poor, mix in some sand or perlite with the soil to improve soil structure and drainage.
In terms of watering, if you’re a forgetful person, set weekly alarms/reminders on your phone to help you stay consistent with your watering schedule.
Harvesting & Uses
Teddy bear sunflowers can be used for indoor or outdoor decoration in pots and vases.
Collect flower seeds to either plant next season or feed birds you might have at home.
Planting a few teddy bear sunflowers around the garden will attract pollinators, which will have a direct positive effect on your garden’s overall pollination and ecosystem.
Tips For Success
Conclusion
In a world where social media often turns every unique find into a viral trend, I’m glad teddy bear sunflowers remain a hidden gem, appreciated by passionate flower growers and still flying under the radar.
However, a part of me also wants them to be popular so they can make more garden landscapes colorful and majestic.