When Chopped, Will Sunflowers Open?

Sunflowers, like many other flowers, rely on a hormone called auxin to regulate the opening and closing of their buds. Once the bud is cut, the auxin releases the hormone. Sunflowers are easy to grow from cuttings, with the best time being in the morning after dew has evaporated. After cutting, place the sunflower in a vase with fresh, cool water. Trimming the stems is crucial for maintaining the plant’s growth. Annual sunflowers bloom once and will not regrow after being cut, while perennial sunflowers can regrow if cut properly.

As sunflowers mature and senesce, more disk flowers will progressively open. Harvest cut sunflowers early in the morning, after any dew has dried but before the temperature warms. If you want to store unopened blooms, place them in a cooler or refrigerator for about a week. Once removed, cut the sunflowers as soon as the first petals begin to open on the bloom. Cut stems just above a node and far enough down the stem to allow nice long stems to grow. For optimum vase life, cut sunflowers when they are almost open, with ray petals perpendicular to the flower disk.

Plan ahead if possible and water your sunflowers the day, placing them in warm water and sunlight. Vertically cutting 5 to 7cm of the stem can also help. Sunflowers are beautiful, easy to grow, and will last for days after being cut. However, ensure that sunflowers are not exposed to direct sunlight, cool drafts, or heat. After enjoying the flowers inside and all petals have fallen off, cut the stalk/stem off about 4″ away from the head and store hanging upside down.