Helianthus annuus
Planting & Growing Instructions
Timing
Direct sow after the last frost and continue sowing at intervals for an extended bloom period. While sunflowers can be started indoors, this offers little advantage, as root-bound seedlings become unstable and may require staking. Optimal germination occurs at 21-30°C (70-85°F), with seeds sprouting in 10-14 days.
Planting
Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep in well-prepared soil.
Growing
For robust plants and large flower heads, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m (10′) row. Water regularly to support strong growth.
When plants reach 30cm (12”) tall, enhance seed and flower development by dissolving 5ml (1 tsp) of borax in 350ml (12 fl oz) of water and evenly distributing it over 5m (15′) of row. Avoid over-application, and do not use boron on other garden plants.
Sunflowers are ready to harvest when the back of the flower head turns yellow—cut at this stage for optimal seed maturity.
These seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.