Sun Star Growing and Plant Care Guide

  • By: admin
  • Date: September 6, 2022
  • Time to read: 8 min.
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What Is Sun Star?

Sun Star is an annual plant grown for its brightly colored orange flower that looks like a daisy. It grows to 3-5 feet tall and is known for its unique petals which are yellow at the base and fade into shades of orange towards the center crown. Sun Star flowers can last up to two weeks in warm weather but will close with cooler temperatures.

Sun star plants originated from South America, and are now found growing in U.S., Europe, and Australia. They grow best in well-drained soil that’s high in organic matter, full sun exposure, water, and frequent feedings with compost or fertilizer (like Miracle Gro).

Sun Star Care & Maintenance:

Sun Star plants are not fussy about soil conditions but will grow best when the soil is well-drained and contains lots of organic material to keep the plant fed and hydrated. In areas with sandy soil, dig in some compost or other humus-rich matter for the flowers to root into.

Sunstars can handle full sun exposure (6-8 hours a day) but may need protection from intense heat during periods of high temperature. They do not like soggy soils so avoid overwatering.

Sunstar plants also do not like wet winter weather so it’s best to mulch them after frost has killed off the top growth to protect them from being shocked by overnight freezes that could kill back foliage that hasn’t frozen yet. You might want to cover them with a frost blanket for extra protection if needed.

When growing Sun Stars in containers, you might need to water twice a day depending on the cultural conditions. You’ll also need to fertilize more often than in-ground plants because the soil dries out faster. Try using a citrus-based fertilizer every 2 weeks during high growth periods (spring and summer). A good choice could be Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food.

Light Requirements:

Sun Starflowers need at least 6 hours of sun exposure every day. This means they will get a lot of light from an east-facing window but need something more like 8-10 hours if placed in west or south-facing windowsill.

If your Sun Stars do not get enough light, they’ll have green and cone-shaped petals instead of the brightly colored ones you’re expecting. You might also see leaves that are reddish or purple in color as well. 

Water Requirements:

Although Sun Stars are not drought-resistant plants, they do need lots of water while actively growing. Try watering them at least 1-2 times a day during this period. In periods of hot weather or when planted in containers you’ll find that your plant needs more frequent watering than other summer flowering plants that grow best in sandy soils like impatiens, petunias, and coleus.

Sun Stars need to be watered regularly throughout the growing season but try not to give them too much water all at once as this can cause root rot.

Watering from the top (by placing a cup or plant mister over their leaves) works well for this reason. It allows moisture to seep in slowly while reducing the chances of overwatering especially during hot summer months when plants are most active and require more frequent irrigation.

The best time of day for watering is early morning because this helps avoid promoting disease that can be spread by dew which tends to collect on plants at night which may provide ideal conditions for insect pests like aphids, whitefly, mealy bugs, and spider mites.

You can test for the right amount of water by sticking your finger into the soil until it feels moist but not squishy. If the top 2 inches feel dry to the touch then it’s time to water your plant.

Sun Star fertilization:

Fertilize Sun Star with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) every two weeks when growing the plant. This will help improve root and leaf growth. If you’re using synthetic fertilizer, follow the directions on the packaging for amounts to use per plant.

Feed your Sun Star plants in the early morning or evening as they are sensitive to heat while actively growing so avoid feeding midday during periods of high temperatures. 

 Soil Requirements:

Sun Star plants are sun-loving perennials and do not need special soil to thrive. They will grow in ordinary, well-drained soil, but will also accept drier conditions as long as the soil is kept moist. Avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot and leaf blight.

As with most plant species, it’s best to avoid planting in newly-filled timber pits or landfills because of the high level of toxic chemicals that still remain from previous use. Of course, Sunstar flowers would be just fine growing next to one of these filled sites but why take a chance?

Also avoid buying new plants from garden centers that sometimes get their stock directly from large nurseries like Home Depot and Lowe’s which tend to ship their perennials in pots that have been grown and finished in a common container mix of peat moss or pine bark.

The best soil to use is garden topsoil mixed with compost, leaf mold, and manure. A good place to get this type of soil is from nurseries that grow plants in large containers full of the growing mediums mentioned above.

If you’re going to plant Sun Stars in your yard then purchase topsoil from a landscape company or buy bags from your local home improvement store. 

Temperature and Humidity Requirements:

If you’re growing Sun Stars in containers or potted plants then it’s important to provide a warm environment for the roots.

It can actually be harmful if temperatures get too high so avoid putting your plant near drafty areas like doors and windows, vents, and heat sources such as furnaces.

Sun Star plants thrive in moderate temperatures (60 – 70 degrees F) with humidity levels of around 40%.

The best way to provide this is by setting them on a table covered with pebbles and water while sitting next to an air conditioner vent during the hot summer months. You could also set your plant on top of towels in front of an oscillating fan if needed for extra moisture as well.

When exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees

Sun Stars prefer daytime temperatures of at least 70°F and nighttime temperatures around 60°F. However, they can take more extreme conditions if needed.

Potting and repotting Requirements:

Sun Stars will grow well if planted in flower pots, window boxes, or any other type of container using whatever growing medium you prefer.

When the plant becomes too large (usually when its roots fill up a five-inch pot) for the container then it’s time to repot it into a larger one with fresh soil and compost added as needed to maintain good drainage.

One great benefit of choosing Sun Stars is that they don’t become root-bound so they can be left in pots for several years without worrying about pot size during this period.

It’s best to avoid planting them in garden beds because they may outgrow the space.

Sunflowers are usually content providing smaller-sized blooms while remaining on their own roots rather than being moved to larger pots in the ground.

To repot your Sun Star, first, remove it from its container and examine the roots. If there are any large ones that have grown through the drainage holes or that are pushing against the sides of the pot then you’ll need to prune them back.

This will increase drainage and help prevent under-watering problems during the next growing season.

When repotting Sun Stars, do not add extra potting soil around their base as this can contribute to rotting in hot, humid weather when they’re actively growing new roots and leaves.

Simply remove enough material so that you can see most of their main stem and firm up the surrounding topsoil with your hands so it’s level with the rim of the pot.

While Sun Stars prefer warm summer days and cool nights, they still require water to thrive. If the weather is too dry for long periods of time then their leaves will begin to wither and yellow. Use a light sprinkler or mister often enough so that the soil stays moist but not soggy because Sun Stars have shallow roots and don’t do well in wet soil.

Sun Star Propagation:

There are several methods of propagating Sun Stars including division, seedlings, and rooted stem cuttings.

The most common way is to divide the crown into sections on a warm summer day by digging up the plant’s main roots with a spade or shovel and pushing them apart until they separate while keeping as much soil intact as possible.

Creating at least 4 – 6 new plants this way will maintain your plant for years to come without having to buy more from stores or nurseries.

If you’re too busy to clone your own plants then just use fresh seeds instead which have been collected from the flower heads after they’ve dried out in late summer/early fall. Once placed inside sealing bags, the seeds will remain viable for many years if kept in a cool, dry location.

To germinate them indoors, place the bags on top of kitchen or bathroom counters where they’ll get plenty of heat and humidity from lights or hot water pipes for about two months until new leaves emerge. Then move the newly transplanted seedlings into 4″ pots so they don’t grow too large before transplanting them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Sun Star Pest Problems & Solutions:

The only real pest problem that Sun Stars will have is aphids. To control them with minimal effort, spray the plant’s leaves and stems with a mixture of water and mild soap to break down the waxy coating on their surfaces.  

This will temporarily suffocate any insects present while making it easier for other predators in your garden to find their prey.

Sun Stars are truly best-suited for USDA hardiness zones 4 – 9 and although they can be grown indoors as houseplants anywhere in North America.

They’ll produce better blooms if placed outdoors during the warm summer months where they can bask in direct sunlight most of the day.

If wanting to keep these plants blooming longer then you can easily prolong their season by moving them indoors before the first hard frost.

After 3 months or so, move your Sun Stars back outside again until warm weather arrives in the spring.  

To keep them as healthy and large as possible, avoid transplanting them to any other locations during this time period or you’ll just create more work for yourself when it’s time to move them back outdoors permanently next fall.

Sun Star Pest Control:

The only pest that will affect your Sun Stars is aphids but they are very easy to control with a mixture of water & mild soap spray, especially if caught early on.

Try to catch the problem before it gets out of hand but otherwise mix up some mild insecticidal soap (like Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap) with water and spray it on the leaves & stems to control any aphid infestations.

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