Sunflower: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "640px|thumb|right| Multiple uses for sunflowers exist: food, fuel, fiber. ''(Text was in part excerpted from corresponding [http://www.appropedi...")
 
(shortened growing instructions (not really relevant); added section on open source hardware needs)
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[[Image:Sunflower Uses.jpg|640px|thumb|right| Multiple uses for sunflowers exist: food, fuel, fiber. ]]
[[Image:Sunflower Uses.jpg|640px|thumb|right| Multiple uses for sunflowers exist: food, fuel, fiber. ]]


''(Text was in part excerpted from corresponding [http://www.appropedia.org/Sunflower Appropedia page: "sunflower"])''
''(Text was in small part excerpted from corresponding [http://www.appropedia.org/Sunflower Appropedia page: "sunflower"])''


The '''sunflower''' (''Helianthus annuus'') is an annual plant with large flowers. It is an important food crop worldwide and is native to North America.  
The '''sunflower''' (''Helianthus annuus'') is an annual plant with large flowers. It is an important food crop worldwide and is native to North America. Some background on how to grow them and care for them is found [http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/flowers/sunflowers/ here]. Briefly, sunflowers can tolerate both light and heavy soil, and will grow best when it has plenty of organic matter and some fertilizer. They need watering during dry weather. Other than some basic care methods, sunflowers don't require much intervention while growing.


==Uses==
==Uses==
* food: The raw sunflower kernels can be eaten raw, or used in baking or cooking. They are also excellent feed for birds and wildlife, and can be stockpiled to feed birds in your own garden during the colder months.
* food: kernels can be eaten raw or used in baking or cooking. Also excellent feed for birds and wildlife.  
*cut flower for the floral industry.
* cut flower for the floral industry.
*The stems can be turned into paper.
* The stems can be turned into paper (processing requires [[lye]] and equipment for pulp making) and clothing
* stems can also simply be burned for energy (see [[Wood Ash|ash]])
* sunflower oil from pressed seeds
* sunflower oil from pressed seeds
*the oil can be turned into [[biodiesel]]
* the oil can be turned into [[biodiesel]]
*see [[Jerusalem Artichoke]], which is a type of sunflower  
* press cake can be fed to [[pigs]] and [[chicken]]s
* stems and leaves into fodder (perhaps as [[silage]])
* also see [[Jerusalem Artichoke]], which is a type of sunflower but somewhat different uses (no oil, but lots of sugars)


== Growing sunflowers ==
==Open Source Hardware Needs==
*Sunflowers are a good garden plant and they're a great flower for children to grow when learning about gardening.
* soil preparation, bringing fertilizer to the field
*Soil: Sunflowers can tolerate both light and heavy soil, provided it drains well. However, the sunflower will grow best when the soil has plenty of organic matter and some fertiliser.
* seeding
*Sow seed in late spring or early summer, as long as the soil is warm. Be generous with the seeds, as you can thin out the seedlings once they take. Place 1cm/ .5 inches of soil over the top of the seed once planted. If the seed is really large, cover with 2.5cm or 1 inch of soil.
* weeding
* Expect germination in about five to ten days. Keep the soil moist. Thin out the seedlings for best growth and large flowers. If the flowers are kept spaced close together, they form smaller and shorter flowers.
* harvesting
* hulling 
* seed press to extract the oil (see page [[Vegetable Oil Production]] and Appropedia page [http://www.appropedia.org/Original:Small_Scale_Vegetable_Oil_Extraction Small Scale Vegetable Oil Extraction] )


== Caring for sunflowers ==
==External Links For Hardware==
*Water during dry weather.
* JourneyToForever: [http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/oilpress.html "The Sunflower Seed Huller and Oil Press"]
*Remove weeds to prevent the weeds competing with the sunflower plant.
*If you remove spent flowers, the flowering will be prolonged, as is typical with many annuals.
*Other than these basic care methods, sunflowers don't require much intervention while growing.


[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Food and Agriculture]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]
[[Category:Biofuel]]

Revision as of 23:30, 16 July 2016

Multiple uses for sunflowers exist: food, fuel, fiber.

(Text was in small part excerpted from corresponding Appropedia page: "sunflower")

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant with large flowers. It is an important food crop worldwide and is native to North America. Some background on how to grow them and care for them is found here. Briefly, sunflowers can tolerate both light and heavy soil, and will grow best when it has plenty of organic matter and some fertilizer. They need watering during dry weather. Other than some basic care methods, sunflowers don't require much intervention while growing.

Uses

  • food: kernels can be eaten raw or used in baking or cooking. Also excellent feed for birds and wildlife.
  • cut flower for the floral industry.
  • The stems can be turned into paper (processing requires lye and equipment for pulp making) and clothing
  • stems can also simply be burned for energy (see ash)
  • sunflower oil from pressed seeds
  • the oil can be turned into biodiesel
  • press cake can be fed to pigs and chickens
  • stems and leaves into fodder (perhaps as silage)
  • also see Jerusalem Artichoke, which is a type of sunflower but somewhat different uses (no oil, but lots of sugars)

Open Source Hardware Needs

External Links For Hardware

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