Sunflower Planting Time, Method and Harvest Cycle
SummarySite selection and soil preparation: plant in plots with medium fertility and low soil viscosity, and dress seeds with Xin Gao Zhi Mo (New High Lipid Film) before sowing. Planting time: suitable for sowing in spring from March to April. Field inspection and replanting: replant missing seedlings in time. Thinning and final singling: avoid seedlings crowding each other. Intertillage and weeding: weed and loosen the soil 2-3 times as appropriate. Furrow opening and topdressing: apply diammonium phosphate and urea. Timely irrigation: use the furrow irrigation method. Pollination management: carry out artificial pollination 3-4 times during full bloom. Harvest time: July to September.
1. Site Selection and Soil Preparation
1. Sunflowers are suitable for planting in plots with level land, medium fertility, convenient irrigation and drainage, and relatively low soil viscosity; during this period, they should not be planted in continuous cropping plots.
2. Sunflowers generally reproduce by seed; when sowing, peat soil is mainly used, and before sowing, Xin Gao Zhi Mo (New High Lipid Film) can be used for seed dressing, which helps repel underground pests, isolate viral infection, and effectively increase the seed germination rate.
2. Planting Time
Sunflowers grow relatively fast and can generally be sown in spring and autumn, but when sowing begins in spring from March to April, the survival rate of sowing will be somewhat higher, because this time period is the golden period for sunflower growth. The suitable temperature for sowing is 18-25°C, and about 5-7 days after sowing, they will sprout.
3. Field Inspection and Replanting
1. Sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and it is generally quite laborious for it to push through the soil and emerge. In addition, poor soil preparation and sowing quality, or surface soil hardening after rain following sowing, or damage from diseases, insects, rodents, birds, and the like can all easily cause missing seedlings and broken rows.
2. Therefore, in order to ensure full seedlings from one sowing, it is necessary to inspect field by field and row by row during the emergence period, and replant in time where seedlings are missing in patches or rows.
4. Thinning and Final Singling
1. Sunflowers should be thinned early to avoid seedlings crowding each other and affecting the cultivation of strong seedlings. As for saline-alkali land and plots with severe pest damage, the time for final singling can be appropriately delayed.
2. At the same time, sunflowers should also be singled early, which helps cultivate strong seedlings and promotes flower disc development. Final singling can be carried out when there are 2 pairs of true leaves.
5. Intertillage and Weeding
1. During the planting period, intertillage should be carried out 2-3 times. Appropriate weeding and soil loosening can break up hardening, conserve water, reduce evaporation, and alleviate saline-alkali damage.
2. The 1st intertillage can be carried out at 1-2 pairs of true leaves together with thinning and final singling, while the 2nd intertillage can be carried out 1 week after final singling, and the 3rd intertillage can be completed before ridge closing together with furrow opening, soil banking, and fertilization.
6. Furrow Opening and Topdressing
Sunflowers are relatively fond of fertilizer. Generally, furrow opening and topdressing can be carried out during the 3rd intertillage, during which nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are mainly used, applying 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 10 kg of urea per mu. Through furrow opening and soil banking, the growth and development of secondary roots can be effectively ensured, plant lodging can be avoided, and branching at the base below the cotyledon node can be reduced.
7. Timely Irrigation
1. Sunflower irrigation generally uses the furrow irrigation method. For varieties with a plant height of 1.5 m, the first watering needs to be carried out at the bud stage, the second watering can be carried out at the early flowering stage, and the third watering can be carried out at the grain-filling stage.
2. For varieties with a plant height of about 2 m, the first watering can be carried out 4-5 days before flowering, while for plots with severe drought, irrigation can be appropriately advanced; the second watering can be carried out 6-7 days after the first watering, and the third watering can be carried out at the grain-filling stage.
8. Pollination Management
1. The seed-setting rate of sunflower self-pollination is relatively low, while the seed-setting rate of cross-pollination is relatively high, so artificial supplementary pollination should be carried out in time.
2. Use methods such as matching flower discs, powder puffs, and cotton thread gloves to transfer pollen, or collect paternal pollen and gently apply it to the stigma of the maternal parent with a small brush. Pollination can be carried out 3-4 times during full bloom.
9. Harvest Time
1. Generally, after sowing, sunflowers are carefully grown in sunlight, and after waiting about 50-80 days, they will bloom, and the fruit will begin to mature from July to September.
2. After sunflowers mature, they can be processed and made into sunflower seeds for eating, or the mature fruit can be harvested and pressed for oil. Sunflower seed oil can make the food prepared with it fragrant and delicious, while also helping lower lipids. In the second year, the mature seeds can also be used for sowing.