Heat affecting sunflowers at MU’s South Farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The heat is taking a toll on the sunflower field at MU's South Farm in Columbia.
The hotter temperatures are causing the sunflowers to start to droop, according to Donna Marie Thomas, with MU'S Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center. This means the flowers will need to be cut.
"By Saturday I would say they will have all the heads facing down and will not be good for pictures," Thomas wrote in an email. "Once they are done we need to cut them down so we can plant again to have them ready for our Showcase on September 30."
The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Showcase at South Farm is set to run from 10 a.m. that day until 4 p.m. According to MU's website, the showcase will feature educational activities, wagon rides, ice cream, food trucks and sunflowers for people to explore. The event is free and open to the public. The 1,452-acre farm is located at 3600 New Haven Road.
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for Thursday and Friday because of the soaring temperatures. Heat index values in the 100-110 degree range are expected.
According to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team, in rural areas, a process plants go through can actually contribute to humidity and increase the feels-like temperatures. When temperatures are on the rise, it allows for more water vapor to be in the atmosphere as well.
