When To Begin Growing Sunflowers Inside?

Sunflowers are a warm weather, frost-intolerant plant that thrives outdoors when temperatures are consistently in the 60s. They are the quintessential summer flower and can be started indoors when the outside gardens are still threatened by frost, typically early to mid-spring depending on your local climate conditions.

Starting sunflowers indoors is recommended for optimal growth and early blooms. To start, spread the seeds on a wet paper towel and let them germinate for 1-3 days before placing them in the garden. Direct sowing sunflower seeds should be done after the threat of frost has passed.

Sunflowers can be started indoors about a month before the last frost, allowing the plants to start growing and enjoying the bright light they provide. There are three ways to start: early spring, mid-spring, and winter.

To start indoors, start by determining the estimated date of the last frost in your area, considering the growth rate of the chosen sunflower variety, and starting indoors about 4-6 weeks before the expected last frost date. The days to maturity listed on the seed packet or variety description should also be considered.

In summary, starting sunflowers indoors is essential for their growth and early blooms. To ensure successful planting, start by determining the last frost date, considering the growth rate of the chosen variety, and starting indoors 4-6 weeks before the last average frost date in your area. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the colorful blooms of sunflowers indoors.

Can I grow sunflower seeds indoors?

Sunflowers can be grown indoors or outdoors, starting in early spring and growing on a window sill. To start indoors, fill a pot with compost to 1cm below the rim. If you don’t have a plant pot, consider using yogurt pots, tin cans, plastic cups, old bottles, or toilet rolls. Sow one seed per pot and water to ensure the compost is moist. Label your pots if growing different varieties.

Sunflowers grown indoors grow rapidly and tend to grow tall and leggy due to the warm environment. They should begin to shoot within a week to ten days of sowing seeds. Supporting them with a cane or using pencils, chopsticks, or knitting needles can help keep them upright until they are big enough to support themselves.

Can sunflowers get too much sun?

The common sunflower, a species of great botanical significance, is susceptible to wilting as a result of prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and ultraviolet radiation during the summer months. To prevent excessive heat, it may be beneficial to cover the plants with a green shaded net, particularly during the summer months, in order to protect the leaves and flowers.

What is the best temperature to plant sunflowers?

Sunflowers thrive in temperatures between 70-78°F (21-26°C), but can survive higher temperatures with adequate water. They can grow in cool, sunny climates but cannot survive exposure to temperatures below 26 to 23°F for 6 hours. Choosing the right field with proper sunlight and temperature is crucial for healthy crop growth. EOSDA Crop Monitoring allows farmers to assess potential using daily temperature data and past active temperatures.

Sunflowers can grow in various soil types, but optimal yields are achieved on neutral soils with a pH between 6. 5 and 7. 5 and adequate drainage. If the soil pH is below 5. 5, lime can be added. The best soil for sunflowers is sandy loam, but clay loam or silty clay can be used.

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?

Soaking seeds before planting is a common method to improve germination, as seeds have a hard outer layer to protect themselves from insects and diseases. Soaking them in water softens the hard seed coat, exposing the embryo to moisture and promoting growth. Sunflower seeds don’t need to be soaked, but soaking them for 12 to 24 hours can hasten germination and increase the number of sprouts. To grow sunflowers outdoors, cover the planting area with finished compost or aged manure, then work it into the ground, loosening the top 12-18 inches of soil. This loose soil allows the sunflower’s long taproot to grow easily and improves water infiltration.

Do sunflowers grow faster at night?

The stems of young sunflowers grow more during the night, but only on the west side which allows the sunflower head to bend eastward. During the day, the stem’s east side grows, resulting in a swaying motion to the west with the sun.

As the sunflower matures, that overall growth starts to slow down. Essentially, the older plants settle on facing east as it reacts more strongly to light early in the day than later on, so it gradually stops moving.

There is an important advantage towards sunflowers facing east. By already facing that direction as the sun rises, that gives the flower a head start on warming up, which will, in turn, attract more pollinating insects, like bees.

When researchers compared mature flowers facing east all day to those that turned west, they found that the stationary blooms attracted upwards of five times more pollinators.

How long does it take for sunflower seeds to germinate indoors?

Sunflower seeds germinate within 7-10 days, allowing the shell to crack open and roots to develop. During the vegetative stage, which typically occurs in May to June, sunflower seedlings emerge from the soil, produce their first true leaves, and grow tall stalks. After reaching a certain size, they develop flower buds, which slowly unfurl, revealing the colorful petals. This reproductive stage occurs 5 to 10 weeks after seeds are sown.

When to start sunflower seeds indoors in Ontario?

Sunflower seeds require warmth for germination, so direct seed from mid-April to mid-May. Seeds can be sown as late as June, but flowers will be produced later. Transplanted sunflowers require staking. Sow 1cm deep, twice as many seeds as needed, and thin to 30cm for small to medium plants and 60cm for tall varieties. Choose a full sun, average fertility, and good drainage soil for sunflowers, which are not sensitive to soil pH.

Do sunflowers need light to germinate?

To grow sunflower seeds, plant them 1″ deep to avoid birds and keep them away from animals. Cover them with netting until sprouting and plant 2-3 seeds per spot. Thin them out after sprouting to maintain strength. Indoor planting can start early and protect seeds and seedlings. After sprouting, transplant them outside in 2-3 weeks due to their long taproot. Use biodegradable pots for easier transplanting on the roots.

What is the best month to plant sunflowers?

Sunflower seeds should be planted directly into the garden after spring frost has passed and soils have warmed to at least 50°F (10°C), which occurs between April and mid-June in the northern half of the U. S. and Canada. Sunflowers are heat-tolerant, resistant to pests, and attractive to pollinators. They can be harvested in late summer and fall for a healthy snack or feed to birds. Sunflowers are annual plants with a daisy-like flower face and come in various colors, but are commonly bright yellow with brown centers.

They make excellent cut flowers and attract bees, birds, and butterflies. Sunflowers are heliotropic, turning their flowers to follow the Sun’s movement across the sky and returning at night to face the east, ready for the morning sun.

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting them?

Soaking seeds before planting is a common method to improve germination, as seeds have a hard outer layer to protect themselves from insects and diseases. Soaking them in water softens the hard seed coat, exposing the embryo to moisture and promoting growth. Sunflower seeds don’t need to be soaked, but soaking them for 12 to 24 hours can hasten germination and increase the number of sprouts. To grow sunflowers outdoors, cover the planting area with finished compost or aged manure, then work it into the ground, loosening the top 12-18 inches of soil. This loose soil allows the sunflower’s long taproot to grow easily and improves water infiltration.

What is the coldest temperature sunflowers can tolerate?

Sunflower heads turn yellow as they grow, reducing frost damage risk. At the R7 stage, sunflowers can withstand temperatures as low as -4°C with minimal damage. A frost duration of 6 hours or more below 25°F can cause damage, resulting in losses in yield, test weight, reduced oil content, and discolored seeds. Stage R8 occurs when the backs of the flower heads are completely yellow but the bracts remain green. Frost damage at this stage may result in some reduction in yield, test weight, and oil content, but most seeds are marketable.