Sowing Methods and Field Management Tips for Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers can be planted in all four seasons, most commonly in summer and winter, and the flowering period can last more than two weeks. Besides resembling the sun in appearance, the flowers are bright and generous, making them suitable for ornamental display. Their seeds have even greater economic value: they can be made into the much-loved sunflower seeds, and can also be pressed into low-cholesterol premium edible sunflower oil. Now let's take a look at how to plant sunflower seeds!

Land Selection and Preparation

For sunflower cultivation, choose a plot with level land, medium fertility, convenient irrigation and drainage, and relatively low soil clay content; avoid continuous cropping. Sunflowers reproduce by seed, and peat soil is suitable for sowing. Before sowing, dress the seeds with Xin Gao Zhi Mo, which can repel underground pests, isolate viral infection, and increase the seed germination rate.

Sowing at the Right Time

Sunflowers are generally sown from March to April, and the suitable sowing temperature is 18-25°C. Usually they sprout about 5-7 days after sowing. The basic principle for choosing the sowing date is to sow appropriately early or late according to the patterns of salinization, so that the seedlings avoid salt-alkali damage. Spring or summer sowing is carried out according to the growth period of the variety.

Checking the Field and Replanting Missing Seedlings

Sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and pushing through the soil to emerge is rather laborious. In addition, poor land preparation or sowing quality, surface soil crusting after rain following sowing, or damage from diseases, insects, rodents, and birds can all easily cause missing seedlings and gaps in the rows. To ensure a full stand from one sowing, you must check field by field and row by row during the emergence stage, and replant promptly where seedlings are missing in patches or rows.

Thinning and Final Thinning

In sunflower cultivation, thin the seedlings early to prevent seedlings from crowding one another, which affects the development of strong seedlings and even later yield. For saline-alkali land and plots with severe pest damage, the timing of final thinning can be appropriately delayed. At the same time, sunflowers should also be finally thinned early, which helps cultivate strong seedlings and benefits flower head development; final thinning should be carried out when there are 2 pairs of true leaves.

Cultivation and Weeding

Sunflowers are generally cultivated 2-3 times to weed and loosen the soil, break up crusting, conserve water, reduce evaporation, and lessen salt-alkali damage. The 1st cultivation is carried out at the 1-2 pairs of true leaves stage together with thinning and final thinning; the 2nd cultivation is carried out 1 week after final thinning; the 3rd cultivation is completed before the rows close, together with trenching, earthing up, and fertilizing.

Trenching and Topdressing

Sunflowers are relatively fond of fertilizer. Trenching and topdressing are usually carried out at the time of the 3rd cultivation, mainly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer: 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 10 kg of urea per mu, mixed evenly and applied to the soil. Trenching and earthing up can effectively ensure the growth and development of secondary roots, prevent lodging, and reduce basal branching below the cotyledon node.

Irrigating at the Right Time

Sunflower irrigation uses the furrow irrigation method. For varieties generally 1.5 m tall, the first watering should be done at the bud stage, the second at the early flowering stage, and the third at the grain-filling stage. For varieties about 2 m tall, the first watering is done 4-5 days before flowering (if drought is severe, irrigate earlier), the second 6-7 days after the first watering, and the third at the grain-filling stage.

Branching and Protection

Sunflowers have a habit of growing branches from the leaf axils, mostly appearing from the bud stage to the flowering stage. These waste nutrients and greatly affect yield and quality, so at this stage they must be removed at least 3 times. Branch removal should be done "early and while small"; tender small branches can be wiped off with a swipe, saving effort and not damaging the stems and leaves. Be very careful that the middle and upper leaves absolutely must not be removed. As for the lower old leaves in the later growth stage, a small portion can be removed to facilitate ventilation and light penetration and reduce pests and diseases.

Sunflower Planting Techniques and Key Field Management Points

Sunflowers originated in South America. The domesticated species was brought from North America to Europe by the Spanish in 1510, initially for ornamental use, and was introduced back to North America from Russia at the end of the 19th century. They are cultivated throughout China and have very high cultivation value. The seeds are often roasted and eaten as a snack, and can also be pressed for sunflower seed oil; the oil residue can be used as feed. Now let's take a look at sunflower planting techniques!

Growing Conditions for Sunflowers

1. Temperature: Sunflower is a warmth-loving yet cold-tolerant crop with strong adaptability to temperature. The seeds have very strong low-temperature tolerance. When the soil temperature is stable above 2°C, the seeds begin to germinate; at 4-5°C they can sprout and take root; when the soil temperature reaches 8-10°C, the needs for seed germination and emergence can be met. Throughout the entire growth process, sunflowers can grow normally as long as the temperature is not below 10°C.

2. Water: Sunflower is a crop that consumes a lot of water. The plant is tall, with many dense leaves, and its water uptake is 1.74 times that of corn. However, because its growth and development mostly coincide with local rain and heat, the conflict between water supply and demand is not prominent, and the water requirements differ greatly at different growth stages. From sowing to budding, water demand is not high; from budding to flowering is the peak water-demand period; and from flowering to maturity, water demand is also relatively high.

3. Light: Sunflower is a short-day crop and is not very sensitive to daylength. It likes ample sunlight, and its seedlings, leaves, and flower heads all have strong phototropism. With ample sunlight, seedlings are robust and can be prevented from becoming leggy. Ample sunlight in the mid-growth period promotes vigorous stem and leaf growth, normal flowering and pollination, and a higher seed-setting rate. Ample sunlight in the late growth period makes the seeds plump and full.

4. Soil: Sunflower has low soil requirements and can grow in all kinds of soil, from fertile soil to dry land, poor soil, and saline-alkali land. It not only has strong salt-alkali tolerance but also has salt-absorbing properties. At the same time, sunflowers have well-developed root systems and strong drought resistance. Moreover, the roots and stems of sunflowers have well-developed aerenchyma, making them very tolerant of waterlogging.

Sunflower Growth Cycle

1. Seedling stage: From emergence to budding is called the seedling stage, generally requiring 35-50 days, or 28-35 days for summer sowing. This period is the stage of leaf and flower primordium formation and floret differentiation. The seedling stage is the stage with the strongest drought resistance; aboveground growth is slow, while underground root growth is faster, quickly forming a strong root system.

2. Bud stage: From budding to flowering generally takes about 20 days. It is a period when vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together, and it is also the most vigorous stage of the plant's life. This period has the greatest demand for fertilizer and water, accounting for about 40-50% of total fertilizer and water demand. If the need for water and fertilizer cannot be met in time, yield will be seriously affected.

3. Flowering stage: For a sunflower head, from the opening of the ray florets to the completion of opening of the tubular florets generally takes 6-9 days. From the second to the fifth day is the full-bloom stage. Flowers mostly open from 4-6 a.m., and pollination occurs the next morning. Unpollinated stigmas can remain viable for 7-10 days, but the seed-setting rate from self-pollination is only about 3%, while the seed-setting rate from cross-pollination is high.

4. Maturity stage: The sunflower maturity stage refers to the period from flowering to maturity, 25-55 days for spring sowing and 25-40 days for summer sowing, with differences among varieties. About 15 days after flowering and pollination is the seed formation stage. The maturity stage requires clear weather, a relatively large day-night temperature difference, and suitable soil moisture.

Sunflower Planting Techniques

1. Land selection and preparation: For sunflower cultivation, choose a plot with level land, medium fertility, convenient irrigation and drainage, and relatively low soil clay content; avoid continuous cropping. Sunflowers reproduce by seed, and peat soil is suitable for sowing. Before sowing, dress the seeds with Xin Gao Zhi Mo, which can repel underground pests, isolate viral infection, and increase the seed germination rate.

2. Sowing at the right time: Sunflowers are generally sown from March to April, and the suitable sowing temperature is 18-25°C. Usually they sprout about 5-7 days after sowing. The basic principle for choosing the sowing date is to sow appropriately early or late according to the patterns of salinization, so that the seedlings avoid salt-alkali damage. Spring or summer sowing is carried out according to the growth period of the variety.

3. Checking the field and replanting missing seedlings: Sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and pushing through the soil to emerge is rather laborious. In addition, poor land preparation or sowing quality, surface soil crusting after rain following sowing, or damage from diseases, insects, rodents, and birds can all easily cause missing seedlings and gaps in the rows. To ensure a full stand from one sowing, you must check field by field and row by row during the emergence stage, and replant promptly where seedlings are missing in patches or rows.

4. Thinning and final thinning: In sunflower cultivation, thin the seedlings early to prevent seedlings from crowding one another, which affects the development of strong seedlings and even later yield. For saline-alkali land and plots with severe pest damage, the timing of final thinning can be appropriately delayed. At the same time, sunflowers should also be finally thinned early, which helps cultivate strong seedlings and benefits flower head development; final thinning should be carried out when there are 2 pairs of true leaves.

5. Cultivation and weeding: Sunflowers are generally cultivated 2-3 times to weed and loosen the soil, break up crusting, conserve water, reduce evaporation, and lessen salt-alkali damage. The 1st cultivation is carried out at the 1-2 pairs of true leaves stage together with thinning and final thinning; the 2nd cultivation is carried out 1 week after final thinning; the 3rd cultivation is completed before the rows close, together with trenching, earthing up, and fertilizing.

6. Trenching and topdressing: Sunflowers are relatively fond of fertilizer. Trenching and topdressing are usually carried out at the time of the 3rd cultivation, mainly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer: 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 10 kg of urea per mu, mixed evenly and applied to the soil. Trenching and earthing up can effectively ensure the growth and development of secondary roots, prevent lodging, and reduce basal branching below the cotyledon node.

7. Irrigating at the right time: Sunflower irrigation uses the furrow irrigation method. For varieties generally 1.5 m tall, the first watering should be done at the bud stage, the second at the early flowering stage, and the third at the grain-filling stage. For varieties about 2 m tall, the first watering is done 4-5 days before flowering (if drought is severe, irrigate earlier), the second 6-7 days after the first watering, and the third at the grain-filling stage.

8. Pollination management: Sunflowers have a low seed-setting rate from self-pollination and a high seed-setting rate from cross-pollination. During cultivation, artificial supplementary pollination should be carried out in time, using methods such as matching flower heads, powder puffs, or cotton gloves to transfer pollen, or collecting pollen from the male parent and gently dabbing it onto the stigma of the female parent with a small brush. Pollination is carried out 3-4 times during the full-bloom stage.

How to Plant Sunflowers: Sunflower Planting Methods

Sunflower is a plant everyone is very familiar with. Its seeds are people's favorite snack, and after the kernels are harvested they can also be used to press oil. Today, sunflower is one of China's most important oil crops, and its economic returns after planting are especially high. Many people want to plant it on a large scale, but they do not know much about its planting methods, so today the editor will give everyone a special introduction.

1. Choosing Seeds and Land

When planting sunflowers in ordinary practice, be sure to choose high-yielding, disease-resistant sunflower varieties. Today's new-generation hybrid seeds, with high yield and high oil content, are the best choice for people planting sunflowers. Land selection is also very important when planting sunflowers. They are not suitable for continuous cropping and prefer loose, fertile soil. After planting, the land should be deeply plowed, given sufficient basal fertilizer, and leveled.

2. Sowing Time

The sunflower plant has strong cold tolerance, and in ordinary cultivation it is especially suitable for early sowing. If plastic film mulching is used, planting can be done in early March each year; for open-field planting, sowing needs to be carried out in late March or early April. The best time for summer-sown sunflowers is between late June and early July each year.

3. Field Management

Field management is also very important when planting sunflowers. After emergence, when the first true leaf grows, final thinning should be carried out. During the growth period, weeds should be removed twice: the first time can be done together with cultivation, and after the second weeding, soil should also be earthed up in time to prevent sunflowers from lodging.

4. Fertilizer and Water Management

Fertilizer and water management are also very important when planting sunflowers. In the early period after planting, this plant has a relatively low demand for fertilizer, and a relatively high demand later. If spring sowing is chosen and sufficient basal fertilizer is applied, topdressing can be done after the sunflower grows 8 pairs of true leaves. For topdressing, ammonium carbonate or urea can be chosen. Sunflowers have relatively strong drought resistance, but the field should not be left dry; after they enter the flowering stage, if the weather is dry, they need to be watered in time.