Sunflower Bonfire Mix Seeds

SOWING:

Transplant: Direct seed (recommended) - After last frost, sow ½" deep. Transplant - Start indoors 2-3 weeks prior to planting out. Plants dislike root disturbance but sowing indoors and then transplanting the first crop outdoors can be a successful way to get first-early sunflowers. 

Germination Requirements: Cover with soil

Days to Germination: Germinates in 7-14 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C)

GROWING:

Light Preference: Sun

Soil Requirements: Light, well-drained soil. Excessive nitrogen may cause plants to grow too vigorously with abnormal flower shape

Plant Height:    96–120 inches

Plant Spacing: 6-12” for this branching variety 

Pinching: Pinching is recommended to encourage branching and longer stems.

Flower Support: Netting or support is helpful but may not be necessary

Days to Bloom: 75-85 days

Note: Flower size and stem thickness depend on factors like spacing, temperature, soil, and day length. For early or late harvests, choose varieties that are day-length neutral or specifically suited to flowering in short-day conditions. Branching varieties can also be treated as single stem varieties by planting closer together and not pinching.

HARVEST AND VASE LIFE:

Yield: 1 single stem (not pinched) or 3-5 branching stems (pinched)

Harvest Fresh: Flowers should be harvested tight, when color first shows and you can see the first petal lifting up

Expected Vase Life:

Harvest Dry: Harvest when flowers are completely open. Hang or use silica gel.

Seed Saving: Collect seeds from seed heads that are fully dry. Shell by hand, winnow or screen to clean. Highly cross-pollinating, for pure seed isolate from other sunflower varieties by 1/2 mile.

USES: 

Cut Flower, Dried Flower,  Garden Beds, and Beneficial Insect Plantings