How to intercrop sunflower
How to intercrop sunflower
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., 1753) is an annual plant of the Composite family which requires a lot of sun to grow well. It grows best in fertile, moist, well-watered soil. The seeds should be planted in spring at 75 cm spacing with a density of approximately 7-8 plants per square meter and at a depth of 2.5 cm.
The sunflower tolerates limited water shortages much better than other species during the spring/summer cycle.
For those who do not intend to grow it, sunflower is considered a weed.
The sunflower is a honey plant and mono-floral honey can be obtained in areas of extensive cultivation, it has rapid crystallization and an intense yellow.
As regards its food use, sunflower seeds are consumed hulled and toasted, often salted as a snack, especially in China, the United States and Europe. They can be used for salads or an oil can be extracted from them. Even today, varieties with a high oleic acid content are available which do not differ too much from the composition of olive oil.
From sunflower seeds, by pressing, an edible oil is obtained.
The sunflower benefits considerably from intercropping, and obviously, where this is practiced on a large scale, the techniques of sowing, mechanization, harvesting, etc. must be changed.
The sunflower pairs well with: basil, marigold, hemp, cucumber, bean, lettuce, corn, okra, radish, marigold, pumpkin.
However, association with potatoes should be avoided.
Here are some of the plants that can be effectively combined with the sunflower:
Corn: Like sunflower, corn is a tall plant and can benefit from mutual shading. Both plants grow well together and can provide natural support for each other.
Beans: Beans can climb the stems of sunflowers, using them for support. This helps save space and keeps beans off the ground, reducing the risk of disease.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers can also climb the stems of sunflowers, taking advantage of the vertical support and benefiting from partial shade.
Pumpkins: Pumpkins and other climbing plants can take advantage of the support offered by sunflowers, and their large leaves can help suppress weeds.
Lettuce: Lettuce can benefit from the shade provided by sunflowers, especially during the warmer months. This helps prevent premature blooms in the lettuce, keeping it crisp and fresh.
Radishes: Radishes grow quickly and can be planted around sunflowers, taking advantage of the space between sunflower plants before they get too large.
Basil: Basil can benefit from the partial shade provided by sunflowers and can help keep some insect pests away.
Marigold: Marigolds can help repel some pests that may attack sunflowers and other garden plants.
When choosing intercropping, it is always necessary to evaluate the pedoclimatic needs of the individual plants and their irrigation needs.