With all of the incredible displays at the Portage County Randolph Fair, I hope you are taking your time to appreciate each and every one. Maybe it’s just because I’m old now (or oldER, I should say!) but I really love taking my time and looking at all of the unusual, creative, inspiring, and sometimes just plain odd entires!
One of those I have come to appreciate is the enormous sunflowers I see. Do you know the record for the tallest sunflower in the world?
“The tallest sunflower was 8.23 m (27 ft) tall when measured in Kaarst, Germany, on 04 September 2012 and belongs to Hans-Peter Schiffer (Germany).” Guiness Book
And how about this little guy? It could be an umbrella! And he could have a lovely trail of birds flying overhead…
Head Width is 32.25″ grown by Emily Martin of Canada in 1983.
Sunflowers are a special plant, in that every part of the plant can be used. The seeds, flowers, leafs, stem and root all have uses.
The flowers on the sunflower have been used to make yellow dyes.
A poultice of the root can be used for snakebites and spider bites.
Sunflower leaf tea has been used to treat high fevers, and for lung ailments. Just a few tablespoons of sunflower leaf tea will stop diarrhea—so it is best to use it sparingly. The leaves have both diuretic and expectorant properties.
The sunflower seed oil is used in fuel, cooking, soap, lubricant, and candles.
The seeds are eaten by people, birds and livestock. A quarter cup of sunflower seeds has 120% of the RDA for Vitamin E. Vitamin E has significant anti-inflammatory effects that result in the reduction of symptoms in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin E has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, help decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women going through menopause, and help reduce the development of diabetic complications. Sunflower seeds are also high in magnesium, which helps reduce the severity of asthma, lower high blood pressure, and prevent migraine headaches, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Sunflower seeds are also a good source of selenium, which inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells. Sprouted sunflower seeds are an excellent source of amino acids and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Sunflower seeds may just be nature’s perfect food!
This is the first year I have grown sunflowers in a long time. I am thrilled with how well they did! The tallest is about 11 feet – no where near 27, but still a very happy height! They cheer me each day with their bright yellow faces and I couldn’t be happier with how much fun they have added to my gardens. I will definitely be sad to see them go, but will enjoy all of the birds visiting for several weeks until they clean them out. Here are my prize plants!
Do you have any sunflowers? How tall did yours get this year?