Moody Sunflower...

Can anyone tell me why my first sunflower has grown to face the fence??? The main sun of the day is the opposite way... it's the first one I've grown and Im a bit baffled!

 

It's shy - just like mine!! Mine don't make sense either. But I have seen them turning, and in France you see whole fields of them, all in the same orientation - that's quite a sight!
So, short answer is "Haven't a clue!" Watch this space for a more helpful answer, hopefully...

 

Between the time a sunflower sprouts and the time the flower blooms, the leaves and flower bud do follow the sun from east to west. There's a plant hormone that is created on the shady side of the stem in each day's growth, and this causes the stem to twist slightly. After dark the hormone moves throughout the plant, the tension in the stem is released, and the bud and leaves slowly return to their original positions, ready for sunrise. Because sunflowers grow very fast, the hydrodynamics are easy to see. But once the plant has reached full height and the flower blooms, it faces east and never moves again.

M-L

 

Wow!! That was an answer, thanks!!
So my poor flower has to face the fence forever, awwww... hope the others have rogue genes!! :D

 

Is that phototropism, ML? I never fully understood that - and I never knew it was something that stopped when the plant was mature. You learn so much on this forum... :D

And did your avatar's eyes just wander, and jaw drop?????

 

dendrobium ...yes plants' response to light !

and ... you've noticed the enigmatic smile which slips now and again !!!!! :D M-L

[ 18. August 2006, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: Mona Lisa ]

 

I didn't know they stopped turning when mature either...mine are all facing the garden next door, East as you say.
I think I'll buy an enormous floodlight next year.... :(

 

Not just me then Liz.... I put loads of seeds in the opposite side of the garden too but they don't seem to have come up.
Think I'll hang a mirror on next door's fence, lol!