When to sow sunflowers? Propagation methods and key points for seed selection

There are two ways to grow sunflowers: in pots and in a nursery beds. Whichever way you use, the propagation method is much the same. Sunflowers mainly reproduce through seeds, so when should sunflowers be sown? Today we will give you a quick introduction.

When to sow sunflowers

Botanists' research shows that sunflowers can be sown in every season of the year, but their growth rate differs from season to season. So the specific sowing time needs to be decided according to when you want flowers. So when should sunflowers be sown? Generally there are the following situations.

1. Sowing in spring or autumn

If you want flowers in May, then you need to sow between February and March, because when sown in January to April or September to October, sunflowers need 60-70 days to bloom.

2. Sowing in summer

If you need flowers in October, then sowing in August is enough; if sown in May to August or November to December, sunflowers need 70-80 days to bloom. In addition, when sowing in November to December, you need to pay attention to insulation measures, because in sunflower cultivation, its most suitable temperature is 18-30 degrees, while the most suitable temperature for sowing is 18-25 degrees.

Propagation methods of sunflowers

After understanding when it is most suitable to sow sunflowers, we also need to master the correct propagation method for sunflowers. Below are the detailed sowing steps, which must be followed strictly to ensure successful germination after sowing.

1. Choosing seeds

There are many varieties of sunflowers, so before sowing you need to first decide on the variety. If growing in pots, you can choose small sunflower seeds meant for ornamental use; if planting in a flower bed or yard, you can choose edible-type sunflower seeds.

2. Sowing

Although sunflowers can be sown all year round, the best time is April, because the temperature at this time is around 20 degrees, which is the most suitable temperature for seed development. Generally, after burying the seeds in soil, the sprouting time is 5-7 days, and after about 8 days they can be transplanted.

3. Transplanting

After sunflowers germinate, they push up out of the soil surface. Once the cotyledons open, they can be transplanted into a large pot. Note that after transplanting they need appropriate watering, and they must be ensured enough light.

4. Care

After transplanting, sunflowers enter the growth period. When they grow 4 pairs of leaves, they need to be fertilized. How should sunflowers be fertilized? It needs to be decided according to their growth stage. For example, at the beginning you can spray monopotassium phosphate on the leaves every few days, which can promote their growth.

Summary: Sunflower propagation is mainly through seeds. Because they are highly adaptable, they can be sown all year round. If growing in pots for ornamental enjoyment, it is best to sow in April; if growing in a nursery beds, the sowing time should be determined according to when you want flowers.

When do sunflowers bloom? Habits and growing methods of dwarf sunflowers

As an ornamental flower, dwarf sunflowers generally have a plant height of 40 cm and a flower head diameter of 30 cm, while those sunflowers 1 to 3 m tall are mostly cash crops. So what are the growing methods for dwarf sunflowers? Generally, when do sunflowers bloom?

Habits of dwarf sunflowers:

The sunflower introduced from abroad is suitable for flower bed planting. It generally has a plant height of 40 cm and a flower head diameter of 10-17 cm. The main stem bears the flowers, and it is highly adaptable. It is generally grown by raising seedlings and then transplanting. The seedling age is 25-30 days, and the plant-to-row spacing is 40x60 cm. It can also be grown in pots for ornamental use. It can be sown indoors at home in all four seasons, and it can be grown in all regions.

Growing methods for dwarf sunflowers:

1. Seed selection:It is recommended to choose the Big Smile variety among dwarf sunflowers. This variety has a plant height of 30 to 40 cm and a flower diameter of 10 to 17 cm. The single petals are bright golden yellow, and the flower center is black. It generally blooms 50 to 55 days after sowing, and is suitable for pot planting and flower bed planting.

2. Sowing:Seedling raising uses sowing propagation, generally carried out in April. The optimum temperature for germination is 15 to 18°C. You can sow in a shallow pot or shallow box. The medium should be loose, have good water retention, and be sterile. Dibbling is preferable for sowing, with 2 seeds per hole. After sowing, cover with 1 to 2 cm of medium to maintain the humidity needed for germination, increase stability during the seedling stage, and reduce the occurrence of seedlings with seed coats still attached.

3. Cultivation:Just after planting, keep the soil moist. After seedlings emerge, do not water too much, otherwise the roots will rot. When watering, note that in hot weather, water early in the morning, a bit earlier, and in the evening, a bit later. After seedlings emerge, keep two to three seedlings; too many is not good for growth.

4. Light:Dwarf sunflowers like sun, so remember to keep enough light, preferably more than 8 hours a day! Note to apply sufficient base fertilizer, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as the main type, and apply nitrogen fertilizer lightly.

5. Planting out and care:When the seedlings have all emerged, thin them out gradually, keeping 1 plant per hole. When the seedlings are 7 to 8 cm tall, they can be planted out. The potting soil is best as sandy soil rich in humus and well drained. When planting out, apply sufficient base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot. When digging up the seedlings, carry as much soil as possible and damage the roots as little as possible, so the plants recover faster.

6. Fertilizing:During the growth period, fertilize once every 20 days, but before flowering, apply 2 to 3 additional light applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Keep the soil moist at all times, especially in summer during high temperatures and drought, when it needs timely watering. To make the terminal bud of the main branch grow robustly, side (axillary) buds can be removed.

When do sunflowers bloom:

Normally, sunflowers sown in April have a flowering period from July to August, and the seed maturity period is from August to September. In fact, sunflowers can bloom in all four seasons, and the secret is "accumulated temperature." That is, during the plant's growth process, as long as it has accumulated a certain amount of temperature, the plant can bloom.

From the opening of the ray florets to the completion of the opening of the tubular florets, a flower head generally needs 6 to 9 days. From the second day to the fifth day is the full bloom period of that inflorescence. The number of flowers opening in these 4 days accounts for about 75% of the total number of opened flowers. Flowers mostly open from 4 to 6 in the morning, and pollination and fertilization occur the next morning. Unfertilized stigmas can remain without wilting for 7 to 10 days. The seed-setting rate of self-pollination in sunflowers is extremely low, only about 3%, while the seed-setting rate of cross-pollination is high.

The above is an introduction to the growing methods of dwarf sunflowers and the flowering time of sunflowers. We hope the above content is helpful for everyone to understand and learn about the growing methods of dwarf sunflowers.

When do sunflowers bloom (which month)? How do sunflowers spread their seeds

Ordinary sunflowers are relatively tall in form, with a single straight long stem and a relatively large flower at the top. The flower is generally yellow, and in the middle of the flower there is the place where sunflower seeds are produced. The leaves are relatively large and green. Many people are not very clear about the flowering time of sunflowers, so let us tell you below!

When do sunflowers bloom (which month)

Sunflowers are also called sun flowers. Generally speaking, if sunflowers are sown in April, the flowering period is from July to August, and the seed maturity period is from August to September. However, when growing sunflowers, methods can be used to make them bloom in all four seasons. This requires accumulated temperature: basically, during the growth process, once the plant has accumulated a certain amount of temperature, it can bloom.

How sunflowers spread their seeds

Sunflowers do not spread their seeds by only one method. After the seeds mature, they naturally fall off, and with the help of wind they can drift somewhat farther. Animals feeding on them can also help sunflowers spread their seeds. Do not think that animals eating all the seeds means there is no help for dispersal. In fact, animals cannot eat all the seeds, and during feeding they will inevitably drop many seeds by accident, thereby playing a role in dispersal.

How to plant sunflower seeds

1. Sowing time. The biggest feature of ornamental sunflowers is that they do not produce seeds, so there are not great requirements for the sowing season. According to their flowering time, they can be sown all year round. Sown from January to April or September to October, they bloom after 60-70 days; sown from May to August or November to December, they bloom after 70-80 days. Of course, there will also be differences among varieties, so when selecting seeds, be sure to ask the seller. Most potted varieties take 50-60 days to bloom. Sowing quantity: sunflower seeds vary in size. If they are large seeds, each gram is 25-50 seeds. Small seeds number 110 per gram. For pot planting, it is best to choose small seeds, with 5-8 seeds per hole.

2. Sowing method. For the seedling soil, choose peat, vermiculite and sand mixed in a ratio of 1:1:2, and add a little organic fertilizer. For raising seedlings, you can use plug trays or nutrient pots. For home use, ordinary hole sowing is enough. Dig a 1 cm small hole in the pot, scatter the seeds in, cover with soil and press lightly. If it is winter, you can cover the soil surface with a layer of plastic film, which can shorten the sprouting time. Usually seedlings emerge in 3-5 days in summer and 5-10 days in winter.

3. Transplanting. Transplant early, as soon as the plant grows one pair of true leaves. Move the young seedlings into the prepared flower pot. When transplanting, spread out the root system and leave enough space for growth, which can increase the survival rate. When transplanting, make sure the root system is buried at the same depth, to avoid the appearance of leggy seedlings.

Sunflower flowering period management methods

1. Ensure sufficient water and fertilizer supply. From bud formation to flowering, this period is an important time in a sunflower's life. During this period, the plant's water demand accounts for 60% of the entire growth period. If the water supply is insufficient, it will cause poor seed development. Therefore, during this period, ensure sufficient water supply, apply appropriate fertilizer together with watering, and apply urea plus diammonium once a week.

2. Carry out artificial supplementary pollination. If what you are growing at home is ornamental sunflowers, this step can be omitted. Under natural conditions, sunflowers rely on bees and other insects to complete pollination. For sunflowers grown at home, to increase the pollination rate, artificial supplementary pollination can be used. Use cotton cloth, cardboard boxes or cotton wadding to make a powder puff (the shape of a makeup powder puff is fine; you can directly use a powder puff, though its small size makes pollination more troublesome). Prepare the pollen in advance, sprinkle it on the pollination puff, and gently press it onto the flower head. Choose 9 to 12 o'clock for pollination, when the dew has just receded and there is more pollen. Usually pollination needs to be done 2 to 3 times.

Sunflowers bloom every summer, so friends who like them should not miss their flowering period! Sunflower seeds actually have many dispersal methods, and generally artificial planting is the most common. When planting, you need to understand their growth habits, and then choose an appropriate time for sowing.