How to plant sunflowers?

Question

Does one seed = one flower? How far apart should I space the seeds? Also if I plant outside after the risk of frost has gone i.e the beginning of May when will the plants reach maturity? Many Thanks

Answer 1

Hi.. my little daughter and I planted some last year and they came up HUGE!. ( did some more this weekend) Ok to plant now as they aren't bedding plants so will survive. Plant single seeds, space a min of 6 inches apart - more, depending on how you want the display to look, and 3-4 inches deep) Insert a piece of cane next to the seed once you plant (saves us damaging the roots when it starts to grow). Water in well, enjoy! - (they do need quite a sunny spot but not that much deep soil)

Answer 2

Last year my 11 year old daughter just tossed some sunflower seeds into my flower bed and raked the dirt over them, next thing I know boom, sunflowers all over the place, however they were too close together, and the seeds were not deep enough to establish a deep enough root system, Even though they had the largest most beautiful blooms I had ever seen, they leaned over and some even broke. So I would suggest planting them at least 12 to 15 inches apart, one seed per plant and at least 1-1/2 -2 inches deep. You could put 2 seeds per hole and then thin them if more than one plant comes up per hole, just in case of bad seeds. I am not sure about tha maturity date, that all depends on your soil and fertilizing habits. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I would plant after May 15Th in northern regions . Sunflowers can be planted a couple feet apart. I like to place three seeds to a spot and thin to one after they sprout. You are less likely to have an empty spot with this method. If space is short I have planted a foot apart but the heads of the plants will hit in the wind. They will take until fall to reach maturity. You can tell when the seed heads turn color. I usually have planted them for the fun of watching the squirrels eat the seeds out of them. My children got a big kick out of watching them hang upside down. Hope you have a good growing season.

Extra seeds per hole help also because the squirrels will dig them up to eat too.

Answer 4

Make sure you buy sunflower seeds that are packaged for growing. Sunflower seed processed for eating (such as roasted) will not germinate. Pick a spot as sunny as possible. Dig and loosen the soil and mix in plenty of aged steer manure and/or other organic material to create a rich, well drained growing medium. When the weather is warm and all danger of frost is past, make a small impression in the soil, about one half to one inch, to plant the unshelled sunflower seed. Poking your finger into the soil to the first joint will probably be just about right. You can plant them closer, but for the best results, the plants will need to be grown about a foot apart. Keep well watered and fertilized and stand back. Allow the flowers to remain on the plant to dry. Don't forget to save seed for the birds next winter and for growing new sunflowers next year.

Answer 5

I started some Aztec Gold Hybrid Sunflowers from seed about two weeks ago. They really grew quick, I moved them into the flowerbed yesterday.

Every seed I planted grew with no problem, I placed about 5 seeds in each small pot. When I wanted to plant them outside, I just turned the pots upside down and separated each plant.

They are about 6" apart now, but should be thinned to 12 - 18" after they get about 3" high. They should grow to 6 or 7' when mature. I plant mine along the side of our garage which gets full sun all afternoon.

Best of luck to you, they grow pretty easy!

Answer 6

I would plant the seeds in pots to start with - if possible indoors on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. I planted some seeds in peat pots in my greenhouse, 2 seeds to a pot but most of the seeds have sprouted. I plan to plant them out at 18"-24" (45-60 cm) centres.

Answer 7

first put the seed in the pot then cover it with soil .water it everyday and you will get a nice beautiful flower.
if you want a great result, when you see that the flower is drying out put it in a big pot. keep watering it you might get a sunflower bigger then your house!!!!

Answer 8

1 seed = 1 plant

20cm apart

the begining of May

plenty of water and sunlight

Because they grow tall quickly you will need to support them with a stick and some string - if they fall over they may break and die.

Good luck.

Answer 9

yes, sometimes they are multi branch look at pkg. 3 in depending in width. I plant mine in late apr (MI) they are fine through a couple of frosts. Usually 65 days. Your Welcome

Answer 10

er. in a pot! next question.