How to transplant woodland sunflower is important if you want to multiply this herbaceous perennial wildflower plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The woodland sunflower native range is central and eastern North America.
So, transplanting this plant can make it thrive well in its new home as the soil should be replaced every year. For you to know more about this high-value wildlife plant, continue reading this guide.
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How to Transplant Woodland Sunflower Plants
To transplant woodland sunflower plants, you should know the risks associated with the process, choose the right time, select a suitable spot, prepare the soil, and dig up the plant. Also, plant the woodland sunflower in its new home, water it after doing everything necessary, and then maintain it well.
1. Be Aware of the Risks Involved
The woodland sunflower, which is also known as the Helianthus divaricatus, appreciates being transplanted at an early stage so that it survives after the procedure. So, transplanting wildflower seedlings to their permanent spots should be done when they have developed their first true leaves. This should be when they are two inches in height, irrespective of the season.
Transplant shock can easily affect the older woodland sunflower. You can avoid the transplant shock on seedlings by planting the seeds in a movable container. You will be able to take them outdoors when the conditions are warm so that the seedlings can gradually get used to the outside conditions.
When the woodland sunflowers become older and larger, the risk of failure is relatively high. You should be careful when transplanting this native plant because once you damage the roots, it can easily die. The taproot is so important that once it is damaged the plant can suffer stunted growth.
2. Right Timing Is Crucial
You should transplant your woodland sunflowers when the soil temperature is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit to do away with issues that are related to frost. So, the optimal time to transplant older woodland sunflowers is in early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant. During these seasons, the weather is generally milder, and this helps to reduce stress on the plants. The woodland sunflower won’t be actively growing so it can manage transplant stress better.
As soon as the season changes to spring, your woodland sunflower will have increased growth hormones. It can easily establish itself in its new location and have better chances of survival. You should also avoid transplanting your woodland sunflower during the summer months. High temperatures and intense sunlight can stress your woodland sunflower and hinder its ability to adapt to its new surroundings
You should transplant older woodland sunflowers when they are root-bound. So, you should check if the roots are now coming out of the pot through the drainage holes. You may also see them on the surface of the potting mix. You can also transplant your woodland sunflower if you are now watering it more frequently than you used to.
3. Select a Suitable Spot
Unlike the false sunflower, which is also known as the common sneezewood, the Helianthus divaricatus thrives well in partial shade. The woodland sunflower also likes to be planted in well-draining soils, although it can tolerate a wide variety of growing media and is drought-tolerant. So, you should select a location with the ideal conditions for your woodland sunflower to establish well.
The woodland sunflower grows well in sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5. The woodland sunflower also does well in loam only, or even in rocky soil. You can test the soil to know its structure and nutrient profile before transplanting your woodland sunflower.
If you are growing the woodland sunflower as a houseplant, consider preparing a mixture of peat, sand, and vermiculite using the ratio of 2:1:1. Please, note that the new pot should be at least three inches in diameter.
4. Prepare a New Planting Site
You should prepare the new area before uprooting the plant from its original hole. Dig a hole that is two or three times larger in diameter than the current one. The woodland sunflower invasive growth also contributes to the size of the new hole. The woodland sunflower is a rhizomatous that can spread quickly by creeping so it may need a big planting hole.
The hole should also be deep enough to accommodate the tap root. Usually, the mature woodland sunflowers can have a taproot that is around three feet long and its function is to anchor the woodland sunflowers. The taproot also absorbs water and nutrients from deep down in the soil, well beyond the reach of other roots.
If you notice that the growing medium is not fertile, amend it to improve fertility and drainage using organic matter such as compost manure.
5. Dig Up the Plant
To successfully transplant your woodland sunflowers, make sure you dig a wider berth so that you may not disturb the roots. The plant’s root ball should remain intact, without letting the soil crumble as this would leave the roots exposed to air. Be sure to dig down a little bit deeper around the root ball so that you may also not damage the tap roots. You can use a garden trowel to remove the soil around so that you can see the root ball easily.
Once you have a big, undisturbed root ball, remove your woodland sunflower and plant it in its new location. Do not allow the plant to stay out of the ground for a long period without planting it in its new spot. Otherwise, the roots may start to dry, which increases the risk of failure, especially when transplanting older woodland sunflowers.
The woodland sunflower bloom time is from mid-summer to fall, so you should not transplant your plants during this period as they can lose their flowers. The woodland sunflower seeds that are produced are considered food by other wild animals like birds.
You can also use the oil extracted from the seeds for medicinal purposes because it contains anti-inflammatory properties. The woodland sunflower has edible roots and the same also applies to the Jerusalem artichoke.
6. Transplant the Sunflower
Gently place the woodland sunflower into the new hole that you prepared. The diameter of the new planting station should be larger than the old one so that the root ball can perfectly fit. Add soil around the plant’s root ball until it is well-covered. After that, remember to firm the soil to hold the stem of the plant upright.
When covering the plant with soil, you can also add compost manure to improve soil fertility and drainage. The woodland sunflowers are also heavy feeders, hence the need for compost manure.
The manure provides nutrients that help your plant to quickly establish itself in the new location. Compost manure is a valuable organic addition that contains a variety of essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus which are vital for plant growth.
7. Water Thoroughly
After transplanting the woodland sunflower, water it thoroughly to settle the soil and help the plant establish its roots during the first three days. Do not let the water pool around the plant as such a scenario might aid the development of fungal infections like root rot. Keep the plant moist but not waterlogged by watering it frequently with the correct amounts of water.
Even if you are watering your woodland sunflower, your plant can still show some signs of wilting, especially during the first three days. Do not panic as it may recover from the transplant shock if you continue giving it some water. Once you notice that the plant is now fully established in its new home, start to care for it the same way you were doing before transplanting it.
Start to water your plant once a week. You can increase the frequency to twice or more in a week if it is too hot. The woodland sunflower that is grown in pots also dries out quickly so there is a need for regular watering.
8. Provide Additional Support
If you have planted your woodland sunflower in a windy area or on loose soil, consider supporting the transplants. You can place trellises to support your plants so that they will not fall when there is a strong wind. Your transplants can also create a natural support system by leaning on each other as they grow if you use a space of two inches between the plants.
You can also use iron garden stakes and twine to support your woodland sunflowers. Insert the stakes into the ground near each woodland plant but be careful not to damage the roots. All the plants are tied to their stakes using the same twine so that they can stay upright and balanced when there is wind.
Remember to regularly check the support structures and adjust them as needed throughout the growing season. As the sunflowers grow taller and heavier, they may require additional support. By providing support to your woodland sunflowers, you can ensure their stability.
9. Provide Care and Maintenance
You can add mulch at the base of the newly transplanted sunflower to retain moisture and suppress weed growth. You can use cedar or pine bark mulch that is seven to eight inches thick. This type of mulch can also regulate temperature and prevent soil erosion.
You should closely monitor your plant for any signs of yellowing on leaves. Check if the plant is affected by pests or if it’s dying due to stress. Address the issues as quickly as possible to save your plant. Seedlings are also good food for caterpillars, snails, and rabbits, just to name a few. You can use homemade hot pepper spray to deter them.
Conclusion
Maybe you only knew how to grow woodland sunflower but through this guide, you have also gained transplanting nuggets. Here are some main ideas that you should keep at your fingertips:
- You should transplant the woodland sunflower seedlings when they reach around two inches tall.
- You can transplant old woodland sunflowers every year in late fall and early spring when the plant is dormant to avoid the risk of failure as they can easily wither in very hot sun.
- If you are planting your woodland in the garden, the new planting station should be two to three times wider than the old one.
- You should not disturb the root ball after digging it up to keep the roots intact.
- Keep the transplant moist until it is established.
You can now also transplant some of the varieties like the Helianthus angustifolius, Maximilian sunflower, and Helianthus mollis using some of the information in this guide. All the best in transplanting your woodland sunflower!