New Mexican Sunflower: A Guide to Growing Tithonia Diversifolia

Tithonia diversifolia is commonly referred to as the Mexican sunflower. Its scientific designation remains Tithonia diversifolia, which is also known for its soil-preserving properties. This medicinal plant holds significance for numerous people. It thrives in tropical regions across South America, Asia, and both Western and Eastern Africa.

The beauty of these flowers is striking. Seeing them captivates your attention. They resemble sunflowers in appearance. We can cultivate this plant primarily for its blossoms. There are various benefits to consider. Let’s explore them below.

Description

These flowers play a crucial role in pollination, as they attract bees. In addition to the blossoms, the stems and leaves offer substantial benefits. They can serve as a natural, organic fertilizer. This plant is termed an NPK plant due to its leaves being abundant in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It is a robust and fast-growing species, reaching heights between 6 and 8 feet. This plant tends to grow bushy and has specific requirements. The flowering period for these Mexican sunflowers runs from October to March. In cooler regions, they may bloom throughout the year.

The beauty of these flowers extends beyond yellow, as they can also exhibit red and orange hues. However, the red and orange varieties do not serve as NPK fertilizer. A little-known fact is that the yellow Mexican sunflower is beneficial as a natural organic fertilizer. The dried and powdered leaves of the yellow variety can substitute for vermicompost, making them suitable for vegetables and other plants.

Growing

Mexican sunflowers can be propagated either from seeds or through stem cuttings. Stem cutting is the most prevalent method. After the blooming season, it is important to prune the Mexican sunflower plant. The leaves and cut stems can be repurposed as fertilizer due to their nutrient content. This particular plant offers numerous advantages. Nonetheless, when planted in the ground, it tends to be bushy while climbing upwards. Flowering occurs rapidly, typically within one to two months. This plant thrives best with about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Post-blooming, stems must be pruned; certain stems can be used to cultivate new plants while the remaining stems and leaves become valuable fertilizer.

Water soaked in leaves can serve as a liquid fertilizer. When the flowers dry, they can be harvested for seeds. Propagating the Mexican sunflower from seeds takes time. Stem cuttings are a preferable method compared to seed propagation. Farmers in Western regions have utilized this plant as NPK fertilizer, enhancing soil fertility. Given the benefits of this plant, I encourage everyone to grow at least one in their garden.

How to prepare liquid fertilizer

To create liquid fertilizer from Mexican sunflower leaves, you will need a 20-liter bucket with a lid and 10 liters of clean water. Please follow these steps:

1. Chop the dark green leaves into smaller pieces. Be careful to avoid injuring yourself while cutting.

2. Take the 20-liter bucket with a lid and fill it halfway with the chopped Mexican sunflower leaves.

3. Fill the bucket with 10 liters of fresh water and ensure the leaves are fully covered by it.

4. Place the lid on the bucket. This step is crucial to prevent any contamination.

5. Every three days, stir the mixture using sticks. The odor from the mixture may not be very pleasant.

6. In about 2 to 3 weeks, the liquid will become dark, and many nutrients will have dissolved into it, making it ready for use.

7. To filter out the remaining solids, use a cotton cloth or a sack. The resulting liquid will serve as a fertilizer.

8. Before applying it, mix the liquid fertilizer with water in a 1 to 2 ratio; for every 1 liter of liquid fertilizer, add 2 liters of fresh water.

9. At last, you can use the liquid fertilizer by applying it to the soil surrounding the plant, avoiding the leaves of the vegetables. Water your plants with this liquid fertilizer three times a week for four weeks. You may also keep it for future use.

Conclusion

These flowers look like sunflowers. That is why they are called Mexican sunflowers. They are rarely seen in India. Only a few people grow them in their homes. Since they grow in clumps, they are not very popular. These plants can also be used as fertilizers for us, so pay some attention to growing them.

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