There are sunflowers, and then there are SUNFLOWERS! Mammoth sunflowers are the king of sunflowers. These are the sunflowers to grow if you are looking to impress your kids, the neighbors, or even the squirrels.
Mammoth Sunflowers are an heirloom variety that originated in North America. They are prized for their enormous head that can grow up to 14 inches across. The stalks of these sunflowers can grow up to 12 feet tall and are as wide as a small sapling. The thick stems support the weight of the heavy head full of delicious sunflower seeds. If you want an amazing sunflower that towers over the garden and has a large harvest of seeds to eat, plant Mammoth Sunflower Seeds.
Sunflowers are an iconic summer bloom, with their bright yellow petals radiating from a central chocolate-colored disk. But occasionally, you may stumble upon an oddity – a mammoth sunflower sporting not just one, but multiple smaller heads budding off the stem. What causes this mutation, and should you be concerned? Let’s explore the science behind mammoth sunflowers gone rogue.
Typical Traits of Mammoth Sunflowers
First, to understand the abnormal, we must explore the normal. Mammoth sunflower varieties are bred to be, well, mammoth. They can tower over other sunflowers at heights over 12 feet, with massive seed heads spanning 1 foot or more in diameter.
The genetics behind most mammoth sunflowers produce a single large terminal flower on each plant. But nature sometimes has other plans. Cross-pollination can introduce unexpected traits and mammoths occasionally manifest multiple smaller heads sprouting from leaf axils down the stem.
Causes of the Multi-Flowered Mutation
This fasciation mutation likely arises from cross-breeding. If mammoth plants are grown near smaller multi-headed sunflowers visiting pollinators may transfer some mutant genes. The resulting seedlings express both parents’ traits.
While not ideal for mammoth breeders seeking that perfect solitary mega-bloom, these multi-headed mammoths aren’t detrimental. They simply divert energy into several smaller flowers rather than one enormous one. If desiring a single bloom, pruning off the auxiliary buds may help the plant focus resources.
Will the Mutation Persist?
What happens if you plant the seeds from a multi-headed mammoth? Will those odd auxiliary heads persist in future generations? Possibly, but mutations often revert and stabilize over time.
One gardener reported a multi-headed sunflower that produced 5th generation seeds still exhibiting proliferation. However, the number of heads slowly declined each generation, suggesting a gradual return to the expected single mammoth head.
No Cause for Concern
So what happens if your mammoth sunflowers start sprouting extra blooms? No need to worry. This mutation doesn’t harm the plant, although it may reduce the size of the main flower. The cause is likely cross-pollination in recent ancestry.
While stability varies, in most cases the mutation will fade over generations if seeds from the largest main heads are replanted. Otherwise, embrace the diversity and enjoy the bonus flowers! The bees certainly won’t complain.
Enjoying Multi-Headed Sunflower Varieties
For those enchanted by sunflowers’ golden crowns, occasionally discovering a mammoth plant flaunting frilly rows of duplicate blooms can be a delightful surprise. But why leave such delights to chance? Some sunflower varieties are actually bred to be multi-headed! Consider giving these varieties a try:
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Sundance Kid – A dwarf sunflower reaching just 2-3 feet tall but with a prolifically branched habit supporting multiple 4-6 inch blooms.
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Florenza – With heights around 3 feet, each plant bears 5-15 medium 4-6 inch flower heads.
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Soraya – A mid-sized sunflower topping off around 5 feet tall and lined with clusters of 3 inch yellow petaled flowers with dark centers.
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Paula – A double-flowered variant producing rows of small yellow-orange pompom like spheres along each branch.
The Allure of Anomalies
Seeing mammoth sunflowers flaunting tiny offshoot flowers reminds us of nature’s endless creativity. While mutations can be unpredictable, they provide valuable diversity. Occasional crosses between plant varieties generate new possibilities which may become beautiful new cultivars.
So if your mammoth sunflower starts sprouting a few extra blooms, appreciate them for adding charm and whimsy to your garden. The flowers will still be lovely, and you’ll have an intriguing story behind their unusual growth. Sometimes anomalies are not mistakes, but happy accidents bringing more beauty into the world.
Tips for Growing Mammoth Sunflowers from Seeds
1. Sun – Mammoth sunflowers love the summer sunshine and need a location with full sun. Six hours of direct sunlight is the minimum. But for the biggest growth possible, try for 8 hours. Another thing to consider is that these giant sunflowers can easily shade out other plants. So take this into consideration when deciding where to plant sunflowers in your garden.
2. Soil – Mammoth sunflowers don’t really need great soil, but they will grow better with plenty of nutrients. Start with nutrient-rich soil that is warm. The ideal soil temperature for sunflower seed germination is between 70º and 75ºF. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is optimal. Keep weeds out so they aren’t competing with your flowers for water and nutrients. Sunflowers don’t usually need fertilizer. But if you want to give mammoth sunflowers even more of an edge, you can add extra compost and a slow-release fertilizer. Sunflowers have long taproots, so water deeply and not too often. Let the soil dry out between watering, which will encourage the taproots deep growth.
3. Space – As their name suggests, mammoth sunflowers are giant! They need plenty of room to grow and reach their full potential. They will have smaller heads if close together. When planting mammoth sunflower seeds, space them at least 18” apart. You can thin them even further to 36” apart. Mammoth sunflowers only have one flower per stalk, so there won’t be side branches.
4. Support – Mammoth sunflowers can get heavy and knocked down in a windstorm. But they do grow a very strong stalk that can support the big flower head. It’s just a matter of the wind hitting the sunflower plant at the right angle to knock them over and expose the roots. If this happens, sometimes you can prop the stalk up and get the roots back in the earth so the sunflower can continue growing. However, sometimes the upheaval has damaged the roots too much. You can use staking and support methods used in flower farms, such as row strings and fencing. Put in any supports before the roots get set since putting in something later could break the roots.
5. Seed – Save the seeds for eating! Mammoth sunflower seeds are the kind that you want to save. When Mammoth sunflowers are young, their flower heads will turn east in the morning and follow the sun across the sky. But as these giant sunflowers grow, their heads get heavier with seeds and eventually stop moving. When their flower heads droop down, it is a sign that the seeds are maturing.
Sowing Mammoth sunflower seeds outdoors
Mammoth sunflower seeds are simple to sow directly into the ground outdoors.
Plant seeds 1” deep. Sunflower seeds don’t need light to germinate; this depth will keep them away from birds.
Put netting over the seeds until they are sprouted to keep birds and other animals from eating them.
Plant 2 to 3 seeds per spot in case one gets eaten. Once they have sprouted, thin out to keep the strongest plant.
- Plant seeds 1 inch deep after all danger of frost has passed.
- Keep soil moist but not soggy.
- Sunflower seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.
- Mature sunflower plants prefer drier conditions.
Grow Giant Sunflowers | Everything You Need To Know. Gardening Tips and Tricks
FAQ
Why does my sunflower have multiple buds?
Comments Section Its likely from cross pollination! Some types of sunflowers grow multiple heads and crossbreeding can cause ones that normally grow singles sprout some extras. For years I grew mammoths in my grandpas garden, one year I did mammoths and Mexican sunflowers.
How rare is a sunflower with multiple flowers?
The cultivated sunflower has only one flower or head. But the wild cousins found growing in ditches and other areas throughout much of North America have multiple flowers and heads. Multiples of 20 and more heads are common. The ‘wilds’ are the genetic basis of today’s domesticated sunflower.
Do mammoth sunflowers produce more than one flower?
A: The ‘Mammoth’ variety of sunflowers have been bred to have one big flower on top and nothing else down the stalk. But sometimes pollen from a multi-flowered sunflower gets into the sunflower field. Flowers that receive this “foreign” pollen produce seeds that make plants with multiple flowers.
How do you get multiple flowers on a sunflower?
If you want branching sunflowers you plant one seed and it sends up a sprout that then branches, sending out several stalks that make multiple flowers, usually between 6-8 depending on the variety.
What is a mammoth sunflower?
With their towering height and multiple flowers, mammoth sunflowers are a showstopper in any garden or landscape. Multi-headed dwarf sunflowers are a type of sunflower that produces multiple flower heads on a compact, shorter stem. They typically grow to a height of 2-4 feet, making them perfect for smaller gardens or container planting.
How big do mammoth sunflowers get?
Mammoth sunflowers, as the name suggests, are large and impressive plants that can grow up to 10 feet tall. These sunflowers produce multiple flower heads on a single stem, creating a stunning display of bright yellow blooms. The flowers can reach up to 1 foot in diameter, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
How do mammoth sunflowers grow?
Mammoth sunflowers usually produce a single flower at the top of a very tall stalk. Flowers of the mammoth sunflower varieties can grow to be very large, with an enormous head which is filled with edible seeds by the end of the season. The outer ray florets consist of the yellow petals.
Are Russian mammoth sunflowers edible?
The seeds are great for roasting, and the birds love to eat from the sunflower heads in fall. Russian Mammoth sunflowers can grow to 12 feet in height. Flower heads on this annual plant can grow to 14 inches in diameter. The stems are thick and support the height of the flowers. Seeds are edible and great for roasting.
How do you know if a sunflower is a mammoth?
Stems on the giant or mammoth varieties of the common sunflower are often very thick and stiff. Stems are also covered in fine hairs, and generally unbranched, producing only one flower at the top of the stem as the plant develops. Sunflowers have long tap roots, which reach deep down into the soil.
What is a mammoth grey striped sunflower?
Mammoth Grey Striped is another giant variety of the common sunflower. This heirloom sunflower can grow from 8 to 12 feet in height. Flowers are typically 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Seeds have a grey stripe at maturity. This sunflower will benefit from staking, and can be blown over in heavy winds.