Tall Sunflowers - Key Growing Information
SOWING: Direct seed (recommended) - After last frost, sow 1/2" deep. Transplant - Sow into 72 to 50-cell flats 2-3 weeks prior to planting out. Plants dislike root disturbance, but sowing indoors and then transplanting the first crop outdoors can be a successful way to get first-early sunflowers. Do not pinch plants. Pinched single-stem sunflowers will produce low-quality blooms or no blooms at all. Succession-sow every 1-2 weeks and/or plant multiple varieties with varied days to maturity for continuous harvest.
LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun.
PLANT HEIGHT: Varies.
PLANT SPACING: 4-6".
HARDINESS ZONES: Annual.
HARVEST: Flowers can be harvested tight, when color first shows, or when almost completely open, depending on your market and preferred use. Dried - Flowers are completely open. Hang or use silica gel.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Light, well-drained soil. Excessive nitrogen may cause plants to grow too vigorously with abnormal flower shapes.
NOTES: Flower size and stem diameter are controlled by plant spacing, temperature, soil type, and day length. For early and late season production, select varieties that are day-length neutral or are noted as suitable for flowering under short days.
USES: Excellent cut flower or for gardens.