Choose your variety carefully, as some sunflowers will grow 50 cm, while others grow over 3 m. There are many varieties of sunflowers available today, so there’s always one that fits your garden. You can choose between those with branching stems or single stems, or that produce ample pollen for pollinators or are pollen-free, or those that stay small or tower above the rest of the garden, or maybe those that produce edible seeds!
You can choose your favorite Sunflower varieties to grow from HERE!
Once you’ve chosen your sunflower seeds for planting, begin by Pre sprouting the seeds. I always use this method, Pre-sprouting seeds for surer germination!
Germinating Sunflower Seeds
The best way to germinate sunflower seeds is to put them in a cup of water, and I recommended that you only soak the seeds for 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. Too much soaking in water and the seeds will drown!
- Place ½ cup of sunflower seeds in a plastic cup, and ill with water.
- Soak overnight.
- Drain all water off the seeds.
- Invert the cup over a bowl, so that the seeds will drain.
- After 24 hours of draining, rinse the seeds well.
- Drain the seeds well.
- Space he seeds widely on a moist paper towel in a covered plastic container.
- Sprouts should begin to form in 5 to 7 days.
- Sprouting is complete when you just see the sprout tail emerging.
How to Plant Sprouted sunflower Seeds
- Generally, sunflower seeds should germinate within a week if kept moist at temperatures of 70° to 95°F. Check the seeds daily and as soon as a root emerges you can transplant in single pots or plant directly outdoors.
- Fill individual pots with a good quality of potting soil mix. Or, you can make your own mix by combining 1-part peat moss and 1-part compost with 1-part vermiculite.
- Use much care when handling these tiny, delicate roots.
- If some roots have grown into the paper towel, just tear it carefully and plant the germinated seed with paper towel attached, there is no problem.
- Transplant the sunflower seeds once they sprout roots.
- Transplant two sprouted seeds in the center of each pot and cover with 1 inch of potting soil.
- Position the seed with its rooted end in the soil.
- Water gently the soil until it is evenly moist throughout.
- Place in a warm, sunny window .
- Keep the pots cool and moist for 5 to 7 days.
- Your new sunflower seedlings will appear approximately in 7 days.
Thinning Sunflower Seedlings
The practice of thinning seedlings is to give them plenty of growing room so that they can receive all the proper growth requirements such moisture, nutrients, and light. Without having to compete with other seedlings.
- When the first true leaves appear, thin the plants to 1 to prevent competition between plants.
- Remaining plant will have room to develop properly, without having roots disturbed.
- Remember that thinning seedlings is important in order to grow strong and healthy plants.
Watch How to Thin Sunflower Seedlings Video
Sunflower seedlings care
- Fertilize the seedlings once a week using organic fertilizer.
- Check the soil daily, and if the soil feels dry, add water, because sunflower seedlings needs moderate amounts of water until being transplanted in the garden.
Hardening off Sunflower Seedlings
In order to give your new plants the best chance of success, it is best to ‘harden them off’ prior to leaving them outside full time. About 7 days before planting your sunflower plants outdoors, help acclimate them to temperatures, sunlight, and wind. This is the process of hardening off, or gradually acclimating your new plants to outdoor conditions. With proper hardening off, they’ll have an easier transition to the garden.
Sunflowers grow taproots, and they can become stunted if they’re started indoors too early. So be very careful in handling the seedling when starting them indoors. Damaging the taproot means that your sunflower may never thrive!
In conclusion, the decision to start sunflowers indoors presents gardeners with a valuable opportunity to gain a head start on the growing season and witness these vibrant blooms earlier than their outdoor counterparts. While direct seeding in the garden is a viable option, indoor germination provides a strategic advantage, especially considering the considerable time sunflowers take to mature—ranging from 70 to 90 days. By understanding the optimal timing and techniques for starting sunflower seeds indoors, you can enhance the overall success of your gardening endeavors. The anticipation of seeing these majestic flowers reaching for the sun sooner adds an extra layer of excitement to the gardening experience. So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, consider harnessing the power of indoor starting to make the most of your sunflower cultivation and enjoy a bountiful and early display of nature's golden beauty in your garden. I hope you found this article helpful. Please share it with your friends. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
Happy Organic Gardening!
You can choose your favorite Sunflower varieties to grow from HERE!
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You Might Also Like to Read: How to Grow Sunflowers
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