Annual sunflowers only bloom once, so they don't need any trimming.sunflowers that are growing in groups may need to be trimmed to keep them out of one another's way.Perennial types of sunflowers will sometimes need a trim.During the summer months,Pruning helps these plants maintain a tidy appearance.You will need to know when to trim your plants.
Step 1: Perennial plants need to be cut back twice a year.
Perennial sunflowers can be cut down to half their size in the late spring or early summer.They should be reduced by a third in June or July.
Step 2: It's important to keep your climate in mind.
Gardeners from warmer climates should trim Maximillian, swamp, and willow leafed to two-thirds of their original height in June.The procedure will keep these giants at a manageable size and eliminate the need to stake them.
Step 3: Prune after the first blooms appear.
Between mid and late summer, most perennial sunflowers bloom.Gardeners should keep an eye on their plants at certain times and not fertilize them after their buds start growing.The rules are slightly different for late summer blooms.Late summer bloom types should be trimmed back when they reach between 1.5 to 2 feet in height, because they will recover in a few weeks and bloom regardless of the cuts.
Step 4: In June or July tall varieties of sunflowers are Prune.
The Mexican and Maximilian sunflowers should be trimmed in June or July.The size of the sunflowers will be reduced from their usual height of 9 feet to a more manageable 4 feet.During the winter months, the sunflowers can be left standing as food for the birds.If you choose to leave your tall sunflowers for the birds, they can be cut to the ground in the early spring to prepare the plant for new growth.
Step 5: Your flowers will not bloom again.
When the annual sunflowers start to dry out and turn brown, they can be trimmed back to the ground.Many gardeners remove them from their gardens because they will not bloom again.
Step 6: Preservatives should be used prior to the use of the equipment.
If you have dealt with some sick plant parts recently, sterilizing your equipment is important.This will prevent the spread of germs in the garden.Prune with shears or hand shears.
Step 7: The plant should be trimmed away from the bad parts first.
Before starting a heavy pruning operation, you should trim any sick, weak, damaged, crossing, or dead branches from your plant.The compost bin should be kept free of disease parts to prevent them from being transmitted to other plants.These bits of debris will be left for the local waste crews to collect.
Step 8: Perennials need to be Prune so they take on the shape you want.
Prune your perennial sunflowers after you have cut away all of the unhealthy branches.Some people prefer to remove damaged parts of the plant so that they can have a more wild look.
Step 9: You should water your plants after you clean them.
After being trimmed back, water the sunflowers to help them recover.Every time the top inch of the soil becomes dry, give them enough water to thoroughly soak it.