Soraya Sunflower Seed

Days to germination

7–14 days at 70–75°F (21–24°C).

Direct sowing (recommended)

Sow 1/2" deep once frost is past.

Transplanting

Sunflowers resent root disturbance, but a first planting started in 50- to 72-cell trays 2–3 weeks ahead and then set out can give you the earliest blooms.

Pinching

Pinch branching varieties when young; they respond with more side shoots and longer stems.

Succession

Sow again every 2–3 weeks, or grow several varieties side by side, to keep cutting all season.

Light

Full sun.

Plant height

50–70".

Plant spacing

18–24", which leaves room for the side branches.

Hardiness

Grown as an annual.

Harvest

Cut anywhere from tight bud with the first color showing to nearly open, depending on your market and how you will use them. For drying, wait until flowers are fully open, then hang them or dry them in silica gel.

Soil

Light, well-drained soil. Too much nitrogen pushes rank growth and can distort the flowers.

Notes

Spacing, temperature, soil and day length all affect bloom size and stem thickness. For very early or late crops, choose day-length-neutral varieties or ones noted as flowering under short days. Single-stem sunflowers give only one bloom per plant, while branching types keep producing side stems.

Uses

An excellent cut flower, and showy in the garden.

Scientific name

Helianthus annuus

Packet

50 seeds.

Seeds per oz.

About 1,750 on average.