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RUBY ECLIPSE SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS)

RUBY ECLIPSE SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS)
IMG SRC: PIXABAY.COM BY ANNA KAPRISA

Freshly obtained Helianthus annus flower seeds can be used to start a garden full of Ruby Eclipse Sunflowers. Sunflower Ruby Eclipse is a pollen-free hybrid variety. Cherry red blooms with a golden tinge and dark brown centers adorn this lovely Sunflower. Each plant will grow to be between 4 and 6 feet tall when fully mature. Until they reach maturity, the stems may require assistance. They are incredibly sturdy once planted and do not require stakes or assistance to stand erect. Helianthus annus is a fast-growing annual flowering plant that blooms freely throughout the summer months before succumbing to the first deadly frost.

Ruby eclipse sunflowers are one of the most straightforward flowers to raise from seed. When it comes to horticulture, they are also one of the most popular and sought after types. Ruby eclipse sunflowers provide excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements and bouquets, and are best used as a border plant, along driveways and fences, or in large fields. Ruby Eclipse is one of the various hybrid types available on the market. Other species in the Sunflower category have more colorful variations.

FACTS IN A NUTSHELL :

Sunflower Ruby Eclipse
IMG SRC: PIXABAY.COM BY ANNA KAPRISA
  • Flowering kind.
  • Red and yellow are the primary colors.
  • Height ranges from 4′ to 6′ tall.
  • Width: 18″ Spread
  • Season: Every year
  • Flourish in a variety of environments
  • Sunlight is abundant.

SEED SOWING of Sunflower Ruby Eclipse:

Ruby eclipse sunflowers dislike being transplanted, but if you want to start them indoors, sow them in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before the latest frost date. Sow in the topsoil at a depth of 1/2 inch. When the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed, transplant whole pots into the garden or direct sow. Stakes may be required to support your Sunflowers until the stems have grown robust enough to stand alone.

CONDITIONS OF GROWTH:

Ruby eclipse sunflowers have lengthy taproots that can become wet and decay. Before sowing, make sure your sowing area is free of hard, compacted soil. Compost a blend to rejuvenate any hard, compacted soil. Sunflowers require full sun for the duration of the day and should be watered on a regular basis to keep the soil moist until germination occurs.

GROWTH & GERMINATION of Sunflower Ruby Eclipse:

Within 7 to 10 days of sowing, your Ruby Eclipse Sunflower seeds will begin to germinate. The plants will reach a mature height of 4 to 6 feet tall and should be spaced around 6 to 12 inches apart. Ruby Eclipse Sunflower is a branching annual that produces cherry red flowers with a yellow tipped center and dark brown cores.

CHOSSING A SITE FOR PLANTING:

You must first choose a location for your sunflowers to grow. Take into account the following:

  • Exposure to the Sun and Wind – Ruby eclipse sunflowers, as their name implies, love the light and thrive in sunny environments. A good rule of thumb is to choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Sunflowers planted in a shaded place may stretch to reach the light, necessitating additional staking support, much as they would if planted in a windy environment. Tall kinds are frequently planted along fence lines for support.
  • Other Plants Orientation – Consider how taller varieties of sunflowers may obstruct sun and wind from your other garden plants, especially if they’re taller. This can be beneficial if you’re trying to protect some garden plants from too much sun or wind, but you should also consider whether your ruby eclipse sunflowers will have an adverse effect on your other sun-loving plants when deciding where to put them. Sunflowers make some individuals feel near since they are at eye level and bend to look you in the eyes. Sunflowers mature facing east, so this is something to think about when deciding where to plant them.
  • Countdown to Maturity – The majority of sunflower types mature between 75 to 110 days. The great thing about them is that you can cultivate them from the final frost until winter returns. Consider planting a few each week to ensure staggered blooms and enjoyment all season long. Stop planting 75-100 days before the first forecast winter freeze in your area.
  • Varieties that are either annual or perennial – The majority of people grow annual ruby eclipse sunflowers, but if you only grow annuals, you’re missing out on some lovely long-term companions. Perennials may take one to three seasons to bloom, but they are well worth the wait and can provide excellent flower production over many years.
  • Color Schemes for Your Garden – The typical enormous sunflower, with one large yellow blossom with a dark center, is well-known to most people. Sunflowers come in a wide range of colors and variations, which is great news for us. Ruby eclipse sunflowers were a favorite of Vincent Van Gogh’s for this reason. As you paint the canvas of your new environment, take your time to select and put different size and color types. As they move closer to the house or other public sitting areas, some gardeners like to start with larger kinds and work their way down to mid-sized and finally little varieties.
  • Size and spacing of plants – It is normally better to follow the recommended spacing when planting ruby eclipse sunflowers if you want to have the most success and your plants to be healthy. This will limit the number of plants you can have in a specific location. When choosing which sunflower kinds to plant, keep in mind the areas you want to fill with ruby eclipse sunflowers.
  • Open Space, Planter Beds or Containers – People are planting ruby eclipse sunflowers in containers in greater numbers than ever before, because to the growing popularity and creation of smaller cultivars. Containers with a diameter of less than six inches are not recommended. They dry out too rapidly, even if the plants can handle them. In small six-inch pots, just one plant of a dwarf type with a mature height of three feet or less should be planted. In this little pot, dwarf plants rarely grow to be more than two feet tall. If you’re planting in medium or large pots, eight inches or larger, you can significantly deviate from the variety’s recommended spacing by planting three distinct plants in each pot. Small varieties (less than three feet) are still best for medium pots, while small or medium (three to five feet) kinds are best for large pots. Drainage holes must be present in all of your containers. Sunflowers require soil that is adequately drained.
  • Is Pollen a Contributing Factor? – The majority of people are unaffected by pollen from sunflower gardens. You’re in luck if you or someone you know is particularly allergic to pollen. Ruby eclipse sunflower are pollen-free.
  • Plant-specific applications – If you want to have a regular supply of cut ruby eclipse sunflower from your plants, think about it. Some cultivars are especially well-suited to long-lasting cut blooms. Some kinds can live for several weeks with floral preservatives in the water and weekly water changes. Are you a bird enthusiast? Some types yield seeds that are particularly appealing to birds, while others attract butterflies. Are you planning on harvesting and roasting the seeds? Ruby eclipse sunflowers can be used in a variety of ways. Large sunflower stocks can be dried and put together in the garden to produce rustic trellises for other plants and ideal poles to support plants, including future generations of sunflowers.
  • Weather and soil conditions – In general, it is advisable to fully prepare the soil prior to transplanting, but some sunflower types thrive in poor soil conditions. Some are especially effective in extreme heat and times of dry soil. If your plants will be in a windy location, you should choose bushy, branching kinds and/or be prepared to trim them.

One last piece of advice! Ruby eclipse sunflowers are resilient plants in general, but you may help keep them pest-free by spraying them once a week with a solution of 12 table spoon liquid dish detergent to one quart of water.

 

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