I am so not happy about what is happening in my backyard. These sunflowers are so heathy but when the buds appear, they get so black in color! attaching pictures can someone tell me whats wrong? regards Sachy blackened sunflower buds ( photo / image / picture from Sachy's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Sachy's Garden )
Sachy, I don't have a clue as to what is wrong but that ladybug is awesome. Oh and welcome to you. barb in Pa.
The more info you can give us, the better chance someone here will be able to help you. For instance, how long ago was the sunflower planted? How large is it? What are your weather conditions? Is it planted in a container or in the ground?
Yes! OK, i will put some more pictures and get some more information. I planted these sunflower seeds 2 months ago. They grew there and so they are pretty young! they are not in a pot. its cold here now in the night but i see my neighbour bought a sunflower and its blooming!
Are you really sure there is something wrong with it? is the bud still firm or is it mushy? is it perhaps a burgundy colored flower? that might make the bud form a different color than a yellow flowered one. Have you had one go to flower yet or do they wilt over and drop off? two months doesn't seem like it's long enough to go to flower from seed yet. I think it looks healthy, I say give it time.
I think this is really not normal! is it producing sunflower oil? its so dark! ?? ( photo / image / picture from Sachy's Garden )
The oil comes from pressing the seeds. Are there more buds that look like this? I went and looked at my sunflowers, which are almost done blooming and going to seed, and there are a few buds left on the mahogany colored plants which have a darker bud than the yellow ones. Not quite as dark as yours, but not a true green either.
Bet she is seeing water or fluids. I have seen something that looks like sap from buds and thought something was wrong with it. Barb in Pa.
Barbs reply dinged a bell here. Are there any aphids on this plant? if there are they tend to secrete a sugary sap that ants will harvest. This will look like little drops of rain that don't roll off. Be careful if you have ants on this, too. They will literally jump off the plant and on to you to protect the aphids. I am not convinced there is anything wrong with the buds though. They have excellent shape and the edges of the all the little pointy layers look nice and green and have great reflex to them. I still say give it time.
