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In general, plant sunflower seeds at least 1/2 inch deep. Space seeds 6 inches apart. If planting in rows, you’ll want 2 to 3 feet between each row. Plants should be thinned out in a few weeks to the proper spacing.
How deep do you transplant sunflower seedlings?
Instructions Sow seeds 4-5 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep directly into pots filled with well moistened, good quality potting mix. When seedlings are several inches tall, transplant them to larger pots that are at least 12-18 inches deep while making sure that they are spread out. Keep soil moist and well weeded.
When should I transplant my sunflower seedlings?
Transplanting Perennial Sunflowers When sunflowers first germinate, the initial leaves that sprout are small and weak. When the seedlings get their first true leaves, transplant the little plants into individual containers. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, it’s time to harden them off.
How do you plant sunflower seedlings?
To plant sunflowers: Space seeds about 6 inches apart in a shallow trench between 1 and 2 inches deep. Cover and keep watered until seeds sprout in 7 to 10 days. When first true leaves appear (the second set of leaves); thin plants to about 2 feet apart.
Do sunflowers grow well in pots?
Potted sunflowers may seem an unlikely endeavor, however, some of the smaller dwarf varieties do very well as container grown sunflowers, and even the giant cultivars can be grown as container plants. Growing sunflowers in a pot or planter does require some special care though.
Can you separate sunflower seedlings?
Generally, sunflower seeds are sown 1-inch deep, spacing the seeds 6 to 36-inches apart, depending on the variety. You can also sow several seeds close together and remove the weaker ones after a few weeks. This is called ‘thinning out’.
Why are my sunflower seedlings falling over?
Shaded conditions or imbalanced soil moisture are two common causes of wilt in sunflower seedlings, as are poor soil, hard frosts and competition from weeds. However, the top one-half inch of soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings to prevent fungal infections that may also cause a drooping appearance.
Can you bury leggy sunflower seedlings?
Can you bury leggy seedlings deeper in the soil? Generally, yes, you can plant leggy seedlings deeper in the soil to help compensate for the extra-long stems! However, avoid the temptation to plant them deeper right away, when they’re still very young and tender.
How much space do sunflowers need?
Small sunflowers may require only 6 inches between each plant, while large varieties might need up to 3 feet. Closer spacings are possible for garden aesthetics, but crowded plants will produce smaller flowers. Indoor sunflower seedlings should be reduced to one seedling per cup.
How big should sunflowers be before planting out?
Once your plants have reached 30cm (12 inches) in height, you can plant them in the garden or move them to a bigger pot. Don’t do this any earlier than May to avoid them being damaged by any late frosts.
What are the easiest sunflowers to grow?
‘Pacino’ sunflower. This sunflower mix stays small — just 12 to 16 inches tall when grown in a pot, a little taller in the garden. ‘Ballad’ sunflower. ‘Double Dandy’ sunflower. ‘Red Courtesan’ sunflower. ‘Honey Bear’ sunflower. ‘Magic Roundabout’ sunflower. ‘Mammoth Gray Stripe’ sunflower.
Should I stake sunflower seedlings?
Protect the young plants from slugs and snails and water your sunflowers regularly. You may also need to stake them if they’re in an exposed position. Keep your sunflowers well watered and feed weekly to encourage them to grow tall. You may need to stake some of the taller varieties.
Do you pinch sunflower seedlings?
Pinching Ornamental Sunflowers Increases Cut Stem Yield and Reduces Flower Size. Most sunflower cultivars (Helianthus annuus) grown as cut flowers produce single stems and do not form branches. If pinched (i.e., apical meristem removed) in the seedling stage, plants form branches from basal nodes.
What happens if you plant sunflowers too close together?
The ideal spacing in rows for giant sunflowers with large seed heads is 20 in. apart. If you plant closer, you might get taller stalks but smaller heads. If you plant farther apart, the seed head may be larger, but possibly too heavy for the stalk to bear.
How tall should seedlings be before transplanting?
As noted above, make sure that your seedling is about 2-3 inches high before transplanting. We also recommend transplanting a seedling after its two “true leaves” first come out. True leaves are the leaves that grow after the initial seed’s cotyledon leaves come out.
Why are my sunflower seedlings so leggy?
At the most basic level, leggy seedlings are caused by a lack of light. It could be that the window you are growing your seedlings in does not provide enough light or it could be that the lights you are using as grow lights aren’t close enough to the seedling. Either way, the seedlings will get leggy.
Do sunflowers grow in the shade?
Rich soil is important, when growing giant varieties. Contrary to it’s name, we found they will tolerate some shade as we put them against an east wall of our house every year. However, they will grow their best in full sun. Deep roots help sunflowers to withstand most droughts.
