Sunflower Has Distorted Stem And Bottom Of Stem Is Brown

Question From: N. Fairrow - Gainesville, Florida, United States
Q: My sunflower is about 6 inches tall. About 2 inches up it curves at a 45° angle and about an inch out curves almost straight up. Is there anyway to naturally straighten this out without hurting the plant? Also is there an issue with a sunflower when the bottom a few inches has a brown color to it? Not necessarily dead but just brown it's alive but just brown?

A: Might have been a virus that it was able to overcome, but not until the stem became distorted. The stem will never straighten however. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy