And, if left to mature on the stem rather than being cut, they will also be likely to produce some seed. (See our article on how day length affect flowers for more detail. While you can plant sunflower seeds in doors in pots filled with peat, the easiest way to grow them from seeds is by sowing them right in the soil in the spring. Sunflowers are a popular crop, and a great way for vegetable growers to experiment with adding flowers to the product mix. Another All-American Selections winner, Suntastic was honored just last year. Tips For Growing Paperwhite Flowers Indoors, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Properly … You know those perfect-looking sunflowers you see at grocery stores and flower shops? When it comes to the best soil to grow sunflowers, you don’t need to worry much. How to plant sunflowers. seed head! There are numerous unusual colors among the branching varieties, including burgundy, chocolate, bronze, and bicolors. Golden Cheer—which works the shaggy, unkempt look in the best way possible—is a very close second. Burpee and check out the Great Sunflower Project. When to Plant Sunflower Seeds. Whether you lack space or just like smaller plants, this one should be on your list. Flowering. Seed treatment and method of Propagation in sunflower Farming Pick the worms off of your sunflowers when you see them. Hence, they are easy to grow and sell. Branching sunflower varieties produce numerous blooms over a long period of time, so they don't need to be succession-planted as frequently. Runner-up: Royal Hybrid is also known for its prolific seed. There are a multitude of different varieties to choose from, so pick a flower type, a size, and plant … Sunflowers come in a wide assortment of sizes. With slightly darker, richer hues than Moulin Rouge, Chocolate is another strong choice and the name says it all. Their ideal soil conditions lie between a pH level of 6.0 and 7.5, however, they’re pretty hardy so will grow in most soils with some care. Sow one seed per 7.5cm pot. Italian White has a top-notch reputation for dependable 4-inch white blooms with chocolate centers. Generally, sunflower seeds are started directly in the garden. Many branching cultivars do produce copious amounts of pollen — look for those identified as pollenless if you think this is going to be a problem for your customers. below the list I’ve gone into more detail. The best companion plants for sunflowers are: Bush beans; Squash; Cucumbers; Corn; Lettuce; Any plant infested by aphids Sunny Smile will reach only 12 to 15 inches in height, making it perfect for containers and patios. Sunflower "whole seed" (fruit) are sold as a snack food, raw or after roasting in ovens, with or without salt and/or seasonings added. Plant five to six seeds 1 inch deep and water the soil. Seed development 8. Growing a successful hedge may lead to more ambitious projects: If you are the lucky owner of a large property, you may consider growing sunflowers for profit. Confectionary sunflower in the large seeded white stripe sunflower which is grown for human consumption and bird feed. And as a group, the branching varieties are not especially long-lived in the vase, some with just 5 days of vase life. The best growing locations are those that get at least 6 to 8 hours per day. Some cultivars grow as tall as 15 feet with flower heads as wide as 1 foot across; dwarf types, however, measure only only a foot or two tall. 2. Bred by American sunflower geneticist–breeder Tom Heaton, these two varieties make superb bouquet fillers but are also remarkable on their own. If you plan on growing sunflowers in order to press your own sunflower oil, you’ll need to plant a lot of sunflowers. Most sunflowers are good for bees, as long as you remember not to pick a pollen-free variety. If you share my love for these big beauties even a little bit, then it’s time to start branching out. These are just the basic considerations in choosing varieties, but each year new cultivars are introduced that help to dispel the objections to each type. It grows up to 6 feet tall and is a pretty cut flower as well. This one delivers. Joining up requires you to plant the No. 6. Hybrid oil types are also used in bird feed mixtures. Ideally, access to about six hours of sunlight daily is b… 'Soraya' is also the first All-America Selections Award-winning sunflower. It boasts stunning blooms on sturdy stems, so you don’t have to worry about them falling over. Remember to let the seedheads dry completely before harvesting. (See our 3 sunflower succession-planting programs for guidance.) If you want to grow sunflowers in your balcony, the best time is between April and mid-July. Go online right now to greatsunflower.org and check out the Great Sunflower Project. Most sunflowers are good for bees, as long as you remember not to pick a pollen-free variety. Best selection for downy mildew-resistance: Most uniform in appearance and harvest date: Perfect for when you want to "grow pale and interesting": Beloved for its upfacing "lollipop" appearance: Best for winter production in the South; tall and stately, with classical good looks: Best for the "3D look" under lower light intensity (early summer, late summer, and greenhouse conditions), drawing the eye from its creamy lemon tips into vibrant yellow petals toward a mesmerizingly dark disk: Best for banner yields of delicious edible seeds: Best branching varieties for cut-flower bouquets, with strong stems and small, uniform upright blooms: Best light-bloomed, quick-growing, pollenless variety: Best strong-stemmed, pollenless burgundy variety: Best multicolored, pollenless, day-length-neutral variety: Smart choice for a prolonged harvest window, with early and prolific blooms in a punch-pretty palette: Best for bright gold, lavishly-double blooms borne atop towering plants: Organic. Growing sunflowers mostly for seed, either for the birds or to munch on yourself? Start with this list of some of our favorite sunflower varieties. The name says it all for this cultivar. Runner-up: With slightly darker, richer hues than Moulin Rouge, Chocolate is another strong choice and the name says it all. Sign up for growing tips, exclusive offers, and new product info. Sunflowers grow best in locations with direct sunlight (6 to 8 hours per day); they require long, hot summers to flower well. In 2000, the Soraya cultivar made history when it became the first sunflower chosen as an All-American Selections winner. For the best results, amend the soil with a slow-release fertilizer when you plant the seeds. Best branching varieties for cut-flower bouquets, with strong stems and small, uniform upright blooms: 'Sonja' & 'Soraya'. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Sunflowers are native to North America and are one of the easiest flowers to grow. Best light-bloomed, quick-growing… Taller sunflower varieties are best for producing large quantities of good-sized seeds for snacking. You’ll do a double take when you see that the petals are rose-pink at the base, while the ends seem to have been dipped in yellow paint. On the other hand, the stems on most branching sunflowers are neither as long nor as strong as those of single-stem varieties. Runner-up: Coconut Ice is a newer variety, with petals starting out creamy and then gradually getting lighter and brighter.