How to Cut Sun Flowers
Sunflowers can grow to a very tall height. Their blooms can also achieve an amazing circumference. If you have a newly-planted group of sunflowers, cutting and placing them in a vase can add a bit of sunshine and happiness to your home or office.
Items Needed:
- Pruning shears
- Vase of your choice
- Water
- Commercial flower food, if desired
- Choose which sunflowers you will cut. Sunflowers tend to grow in groupings, so you may have a large selection of blooms to choose from. Sunflowers that are just about to bloom, or ones that have recently opened are the best option for cutting and bringing indoors. These blossoms will last approximately 2 weeks in a vase if cared for properly. Sunflowers that bloomed a week or more ago are best left on the plant to finish their life cycles.
- Leave the stems long. Sunflowers need a lengthy stem in order to support their large blooms. An ideal length for a cut sunflower stem is at least 1 foot. Depending on the size of your vase, you may choose to leave the stem a foot-and-a-half in length.
- Cut the stem appropriately. Use a pair of sharp pruning shears in order to create a clean, straight cut. Choose the desired length for your sunflowers and cut the stem while holding the pruning shears at a 45-degree angle. This will allow the flower to soak in the water that it needs.
- Care for your sunflowers appropriately. Place the cut sunflowers immediately into a vase that is filled with room temperature water. Check the water level daily. You may add a commercial flower food if you desire. These are available from most garden centers.