skip to main content

The Cutting Garden

Sunflower - direct seeding, or plant plugs?

12 years ago

Does anybody know if commercial growers seed their sunflowers directly, or if they plant plugs?

Also, is supporting net being used against wind damage?

I received an order to grow single stem sunflowers and couldn't find any info about these issues.

Your responses will be appreciated.

kotz

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

thinman
12 years ago
I grow several thousand single-stemmed sunflowers each year, and I direct seed all of them. I am my only worker and seeding is so much faster than transplanting. I've toyed with the idea of starting some plugs to get an early jump on the season, but haven't actually done it yet. I've never used any support netting and have had only minor problems with wind.

ThinMan
kotz
Original Author
12 years ago
any issue with uneven seeding due to variation in seeds' among varieties?
Related Discussions
Time for sunflowers to bloom from seed?
Q
Comments (1)
About 60 -90 days; 100-110 for the gigantic ones with the huge heads. Here's what Stoke's seeds says, but I am concerned because this sentence is under "greenhouse" instead of "direct sowing" I would add 5 days or 10 days. "No pollen types are day neutral and can be grown in the greenhouse during short day - winter months, or outdoors during the summer under longer day lengths in about 65 days." Lime
...See More
Sunflower seeds: How deep to plant germinated seeds
Q
Comments (5)
cindjo2~ When you say "plant an inch or so deep" ... do you mean I cover the seed shell that's still encasing the cortyledons an inch or so deep?(in other words I would plant it and not see anything above ground) At that depth will the cortyledons be able to pop up through the surface? Or do you mean plant the roots down into the soil and leave the seed cased cortyledons at ground level or above? I'm so inexperienced I apologize for my dumb questions but I really want these to have a chance to survive. I wish I would have direct sown them as you say but I what started out as an experiment to see how the baggy germination method worked has left me in this situation ... well...um... because it worked! LOL caroline~Wow. Have you got a green thumb to spare?!!!! I could use one right about now. Post us some pictures when you get your sunflower heads!! I hope I can get mine to do what yours are doing.
...See More
Too late to plant sunflowers?
Q
Comments (2)
I did a little research. It takes approx. 10-14 days for germination. Then it takes approx. 6-8 weeks for blooms. That means blooms no earlier than mid-September or October 1. We often get a first frost around Oct. 20-25. Yes, you may have time but you won't have much "hang time" with the blooms before frost. Maybe 4 weeks at the most.
...See More
transplant v. direct seed
Q
Comments (3)
Hello, gardenerwannabe6-- I would not think that it is too late to grow many of your choices. Definite outside seeding for us in Indiana: sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias Definite inside seeding for us: ageratum, celosia, snaps, statice, gomphrena Not growing others on your list this year. We started Colorado yarrow several years ago inside. This has been a great return crop each year. Divided them last year and moved to another bed. Yes, we succession plant quite a bit. Sunflowers go in every week from May to July 15 for us (sometimes we get greedy and keep going until August 1! : ) hoping for late frost. We did 2 plantings of zinnias and cosmos last year, one in May and one early June. Good luck with your flower growing! Pitt from IN(5)
...See More
thinman
12 years ago
I plant just two varieties: ProCuts and Sunrich Orange. They both have fairly small seeds, and my Earthway seeder does a fairly good job of placing them, although there doesn't seem to be a plate that is exactly right.
kitkat_oregon
12 years ago
As far as I know, the big boys all direct seed and I have found that even planting transplants at the same time as direct seeding, the seeded seedlings catch up to the tplants and they end up the same anyway. Kat
bfff_tx
12 years ago
I seed mine (350 per week) in plug trays and then put them out, at about 3 wks old. If being grown in an area with heavy rainful and high winds I would think to use support netting. There's nothing worse than having to stand up sunflowers that have fallen over due to excessive sogginess of the ground.
Direct seeding would give you a stronger plant.
Cheers Kim - BFFF
kitkat_oregon
12 years ago
Kim, why do you not direct seed? Do you have critter issues? Kat

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

GARDENING GUIDES Invite Mining Bees to Your Garden by Planting Their Favorite Plants

By Pollination Press LLC

Look for mining bees (Andrena) pollinating woodland wildflowers in U.S. gardens this spring

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding

GROUND COVERS Native Alternatives to English Ivy, Japanese Pachysandra and Periwinkle

By Curtis Adams

These shade-loving ground covers are good for the environment and say something about where you are

FALL GARDENING Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Gather seeds from your garden in fall, and you'll have a selection of plants for next year — without spending a dime

GARDENING GUIDES Unleash Your Guerilla Gardener

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Toss some seed bombs around the yard for easy, beneficial plantings

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's March Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

So long, freezing temperatures. It's time to kick off spring planting, lavish attention on lawns and sprinkle seeds to your heart's content

0

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's May Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Be especially water wise this month as you sow seeds, tend to your lawn and plant edibles, grasses and flowers

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Eurybia Macrophylla Fills a Void

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant bigleaf aster in late fall for late-summer color in the shade garden

NATIVE PLANTS 5 Ways to Keep Your Native Plant Garden Looking Good All Year

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s all about planning ahead, using sustainable practices and accepting plants as living organisms

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting