Why do sunflowers always reach towards the sun? There are two schools of thought:
It's due to differential growth of the stem. There's a growth-regulator that builds up in the shaded side of the sunflower's stem, making that side grow faster than the sunny side. This causes the stem to bend towards the sun.
Go outside, stand on your tippy-toes, stretch your arms out wide, and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Feels good, eh?
14 Dec 2001: The first flower is just starting to open (see picture above).
Oct 2001: Planted sunflower seeds in the top garden bed.
