White sunflower: which varieties can you buy in Russia?

White sunflowers are considered exotic in our country, as they're not as common as the regular variety—the kind with bright yellow petals and black seeds. However, many of our gardeners are starting to plant unusual sunflower varieties, which aren't common in our country.

What is a white sunflower?

White sunflowers refer to varieties with light-colored petals, not white seeds, as many mistakenly believe. White-seeded sunflowers can only be grown in Turkey, and there are good reasons for this:

• the culture is natural, since no selection work was used to develop sunflower with whitish seeds;
• only the scorching Turkish sun is able to provide the required amount of light;
• These varieties require daytime heat, long daylight hours and cool nights at the same time.

White sunflower varieties

White sunflowers haven't been around for very long, so few people know about them. However, some varieties can be grown in our regions:

• Snow-white. The only variety included in the Russian Federation's state register. It's a silage crop with enormous leaves and yellowish, elongated petals. Therefore, it's unclear why it was named "Snezhny Belosnezhny."
  
• Moonshadow. Translated, it means "Moonlit Night." The flowers are whitish-cream, and the stems are short.

• Vanilla Ice. Characterized by light cream petals that turn white when exposed to sunlight.

• Italian White. Translation: Italian White. Distinguished by its chocolate-colored center against a background of very light yellow petals, which acquire a whitish hue over time.

• White Nite. Translated as "White Night," the flowers are pure white, but with a slight yellow tint closer to the center.

• White Lite. Means White Light. The petals are light cream, almost white, and the center is bright orange.

How to grow white sunflowers?

Growing new white sunflower varieties is no different from standard sunflower cultivation. However, it's important to follow a few guidelines.

Planting white sunflowers

Sunflowers require a lot of sunlight (this allows their petals to develop maximum color), so choose a location in the garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The soil should be well-heated, rich in nutrients, and have a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Planting order:

1. Before planting, carefully loosen the soil to a depth of approximately 30-40 cm.
2. Mix a small amount of compost or other organic matter into the soil.
3. Place sunflower seeds into the soil to a depth of about 2-3 cm and space them 15-20 cm apart.
4. Cover with soil and water with settled water.

Watering

To ensure healthy and vigorous growth, sunflowers need regular watering. Watering should occur at least once a week, ensuring that the water penetrates the soil around the root system to a sufficient depth (about 20 cm).

In high temperatures, watering can be increased. However, precautions must be taken to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and fungal infections.

Fertilizer

White sunflowers don't require a lot of fertilizer, but their presence has a positive effect on the overall growth of the plant. When planting, it's recommended to use slow-release fertilizers and substances.

During the growing season, you can apply liquid fertilizer in small amounts, about once a month. Avoid overdoing it, as this can weaken the stems and reduce flowering.

Mulching

Applying a layer of organic fertilizer to the soil around sunflowers helps retain moisture and control weeds. Spread rotted manure, composted straw, or similar materials to a depth of 5-7 cm.

Support

Sunflowers can reach impressive sizes, sometimes exceeding 350-400 cm in height. To prevent them from falling over, it's important to support the stems with wooden stakes.

To do this, insert a stake into the ground next to the plant and carefully secure the stem to it with soft tape. This approach will help keep the plant upright and protect it from damaging wind.

Removing faded flowers

Deadheading is the process of removing spent flower heads. This encourages the sunflower to produce more buds. It also helps prevent self-seeding and unwanted spread of the plant throughout your garden.

Pests and diseases

Like any other plant, white sunflowers are not immune to pests and diseases. Among the most common enemies of sunflowers are aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. To combat these uninvited guests, you can use insecticidal soap or insecticides.

Diseases that can threaten sunflowers include powdery mildew and rust. Prevention involves spacing plants sufficiently to ensure good ventilation and avoiding overhead watering.

Harvesting

In mid- to late summer and early fall, white sunflowers bloom, producing impressive buds. Some are purely ornamental, while others also produce edible seeds. To harvest, follow these steps:

1. Wait until the flowers are fully open and the petals begin to dry.
2. Cut the stem 80-100 cm below the flower head and hang it upside down in a cool, well-ventilated place to dry completely.
3. Once the seeds are thoroughly dry, you can remove them and store them in a closed container.

One of the wonderful things about growing sunflowers is the ability to use the collected seeds for planting next season. To collect the seeds, carefully remove them using your hands or a fork. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly before drying. Store them in a cloth bag until spring.

Reviews

I love landscape design, so I know a lot about it. In recent years, many renowned specialists have been decorating their gardens with magnificent sunflowers, with a particular emphasis on white varieties. This year, I did the same with my neighbor's recreation area. When the sunflowers bloomed, the neighbors were amazed by the unusual shade of the ordinary sunflowers.

White sunflowers are a newcomer that is rapidly gaining popularity among landscape designers and gardeners. These varieties produce standard black and dark striped seeds. The only difference from the more common varieties is the color of the petals.