Sunflower is the common seed name for the genus Heliunthus. It belongs to the Compositae family. The sunflower is a native to North America. The early North American Indians used ot for food and pressed it to make hair oil. The sunflower has many uses. Some of these uses are: livestock feed, oil, birdseed and snacks. They are also a rich source of calcium. Sunflowers make a beautiful background in your garden. In rich soil, they can reach anywhere from 8 to 12 feet in height.http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1228.htmlTypes of Sunflowers
There are two basic types of sunflowers: 1) the oil seed type and 2)non-oil types, which supply the bird food and the confectionary market. The oil seed type consists of a small black seed with a thin hull. It contains 38 to 50 percent oil and about 20 percent protien. The primary product of oil seed type sunflowers is sun oil, however, sun meal is a secondary product. The oil seed type has a bushel weight of about 28-35 pounds. The non-oil seed type is a little different. It has a larger seed with a thicker hull which is loosely attached to the kernel and more easily removed. They also have a lover oil content and test weight. http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/Ay/Ay-227.thml
There are not a lot of requirements when it comes to growing sunflowers. You can grow them in almost any soil type, from sandy to clay. However, to assure the best growth and seed production, one cup of fertilizer per 50 feet of row is recommended. The best time to plant sunflowers in the U.S is from March to September. There are few precautions to be aware of when planting sunflowers. Weeds are a big problem during the growing season, but the can be eliminated by mulching with compost, grass clippings or similar material. By mulching, you also hold moisture in the soil and protect the soil from erosion. Birds are the biggest problem with sunflowers. You can deter them by harvesting them early or covering the heads. When you finishharvesting, you can dry the sunflowers by hanging the heads upside down in a warm, dry place. http://www.sunflowers.com/faq-sunflowers.html
