Can Sunflowers Be Planted in Winter? Sunflower Seed Planting Methods and Precautions

The sunflower, which is what we commonly call the sunflower, both likes warmth and tolerates cold. Although it is planted in every region of our country, the market still remains in a state of supply falling short of demand. So can sunflowers be planted in winter? What are the seed planting methods and precautions for sunflowers?

I. Can sunflowers be planted in winter?

1. Sunflowers can be planted in winter

Judging from the growth habits of the sunflower, as long as temperature and light are well controlled, sunflowers can also be planted in winter. If there is a greenhouse, or if they are planted indoors, the survival rate of sunflowers will be relatively high.

2. Planting sunflowers in winter has its particular requirements

In order to achieve a heat-preserving effect, an appropriate amount of plant ash needs to be mixed into the soil for sowing and cuttings to increase the soil temperature, and more light must be ensured, and the rule of not watering until the soil is dry should be followed.

II. Sunflower seed planting methods and precautions

1. How are sunflowers grown from seed?

(1) Choose a suitable sowing time

The best sowing time for sunflowers is from April to September each year, and if there is an intention to keep seeds, April is the best sowing period.

When sowing, insert the sunflower seed vertically into the soil with the pointed end facing down, then cover with soil, water appropriately to keep the soil moist, and germination and sprouting can occur in about 5 days.

(2) Management after emergence

After the seeds germinate and emerge, in addition to maintaining soil moisture, light must also be increased. Insufficient sunlight must be avoided; at this time it is best to place them under direct sunlight rather than scattered light.

(3) Transplanting and management of sunflowers

After the sunflower seedlings have grown about 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted. They can be transplanted in open ground or in pots, depending on individual actual needs.

After transplanting, water thoroughly, provide shade and ventilation for one day, then carry out full-sun management, and more water can be given. Fertilization can be done once a week, mainly with a balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium water-soluble compound fertilizer.

(4) Management during the flowering period

If planting on a large scale, artificial pollination is recommended. Introduce bee sources about one week before the flowering period, and one beehive can be set up every 5 mu.

In addition, you can also manually touch two flower heads against each other. The best pollination time should be from 9-12 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.

Watering during the flowering period should be done after 5 p.m. In addition, after the flowering period ends comes the grain-filling period, during which a large-scale watering should be carried out so that the seeds can develop plumply.

(5) Harvesting the flower heads

The sign that the flower heads can be harvested is that the back of the flower head has turned yellow for about 1 week, and the sunflower seeds have turned black and hard, then the sunflower heads can be harvested.

2. Precautions for planting sunflowers

(1) The sunflower planting area should be far away from vegetables and fruits, so as to avoid being affected by pesticides and thereby affecting the seed-setting rate.

(2) During the flower bud stage, sunflowers can be given more potassium fertilizer to enhance disease resistance and lodging resistance.