Sunflower Seed Planting Methods and Key Points for Watering and Fertilizing

SummarySowing and seedling raising: Sunflower seeds can be sown from May to August or from November to December. Planting out: In frost-free winter areas they can be grown in the open ground, while in cold areas greenhouse cultivation is required. Soil: Choose loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.5. Light: Throughout the entire growth stage, sufficient light is required. Temperature: It likes warmth and tolerates drought, and can grow normally as long as the temperature is not below 10°C. Water and fertilizer management: The amount of water needed differs at different growth stages, and it likes nitrogen fertilizer.

I. Sowing and Seedling Raising

1. Sowing time: Sunflower seeds can be sown from May to August, or from November to December. If sown from November to December, special attention must be paid to keeping warm and insulating.

2. Sowing temperature: Its seeds have a very strong ability to tolerate low temperatures. When the air temperature stabilizes at 2°C, its seeds will begin to germinate; when the air temperature reaches 4-5°C, the seeds will sprout and take root; but when the temperature reaches 8-10°C, it can basically meet the conditions for seed emergence.

3. Growth period: The growth period is relatively short and depends on the variety and sowing date. Generally, it takes about 55-85 days from sowing to harvest.

4. Sowing method: When sowing, the plug tray seedling raising method is usually used. The sowing spacing is about 12*12 cm, and only 1-2 seeds need to be sown per cell. After sowing is completed, the seeds need to be covered with soil, then the soil should be watered thoroughly. The germination temperature must be well controlled, at about 25°C, and germination will occur in about 3-4 days.

II. Planting Out

1. If propagation is done by transplanting from seedling trays, transplanting is best carried out when the soil temperature is stable at about 15°C, and the planting density is 12*12 cm.

2. In areas farther south with frost-free winters, it can be grown in the open ground.

3. If grown in areas with cold winters, it needs to be cultivated in protected greenhouse conditions.

III. Soil

Sunflowers do not have high requirements for soil, but the soil should be plowed and deeply harrowed before planting. Loose, fertile soil with good permeability and good drainage is suitable, and the pH value is best between 5.8-6.5. Good soil is crucial for the growth of sunflowers.

IV. Light

Sunflowers like sufficient sunlight very much, and their leaves and flower discs are phototropic. Sufficient sunshine is needed throughout the entire growth process. Sufficient light in the early stage can make the seedlings strong, sufficient light in the middle stage can promote stem and leaf growth and flower bud differentiation, and sufficient light in the late stage can bring a faster harvest.

V. Temperature

Sunflowers are plants that like warmth and also tolerate cold. Throughout the entire growth stage, they can grow normally as long as the temperature is not below 10°C, but because they like high-temperature environments, the higher the temperature, the faster they develop.

VI. Water and Fertilizer Management

1. Sunflowers need different amounts of water at different growth stages. During sowing and transplanting, more watering is needed, and the water should be applied thoroughly as much as possible, keeping the soil in a moderately moist state at all times.

2. From after transplanting until before flower buds appear, water as little as possible. This helps its root system grow better and also enhances its drought resistance.

3. During the flower bud stage, a large amount of water is needed again.

4. During the flower maturity stage, the frequency and amount of watering should also be reduced as much as possible. Only when it is excessively dry is irrigation needed to supplement water.

5. Sunflowers like nitrogen fertilizer, which can help stem growth. When fertilizing, a drip irrigation system mixing fertilizer and water is generally used. The fertilizers generally used are calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate applied alternately. The concentration of calcium nitrate is 175 ppm, and the concentration of calcium nitrate is 200 ppm.

VII. Pest and Disease Control

Sunflowers are prone to leaf spot disease and rust disease. If these diseases occur, they can be sprayed with a 1500-fold solution of 15% triadimefon wettable powder. If aphids and mites appear, a 1000-fold solution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate or a 1500-fold solution of 20% Aifuding No. 2 can be sprayed for control.