SUNFLOWER - TAIYO

 Organic Sunflower Taiyo

        10 Seeds Pack    

A magnificent heirloom variety from Japan, Taiyo is highly regarded for its large, single, yellow flowers on sturdy, medium tall stems. Outer petals are deep-yellow, and short, surrounding a fuzzy, dark chocolate coloured centre which makes for a stunning contrast. Flowers are 20-30cm (8-12”) wide yet are upright and do not droop. Plants are 12-15cm (5-6') tall plant. 

    PLANTING & GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them. 

Can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window. If you don’t have a suitable garden spot, try a container instead.  A pot that’s at least 8 inches wide and it has drainage holes. Due to sensitive roots, repotting is best avoided. Instead, make sure you choose a suitable growing container for your seeds right from the start.

Taiyo sunflower requires plenty of water during hot weather and during their growth period. If they are not watered regularly, their leaves may wilt. On the other hand, if they are overwatered the leaves at the bottom of the plant will turn yellow. If sunflowers are being grown in pots, they should be watered thoroughly each time, until water begins to seep from the bottom of the pot. Make sure to keep the soil moist. Water sunflower plants whenever you feel the soil is dry to the touch or the flowerpot feels light. 

Sunflowers can grow well in all types of soil. However, the soil they most prefer is sandy loam or loamy soil, with a pH of between 5.8 and 6.5. Good soil drainage is crucial for the growth of sunflowers. 

The seedlings, leaves, and flower heads of sunflowers all exhibit very strong phototropism. Sufficient sunlight will make the seedlings grow strongly and healthily. During the middle period of their growth stage, sufficient sunlight can promote the growth of stems and leaves and the differentiation of flower buds. If sunflowers receive sufficient sunlight during their entire growth period, the stems and leaves grow healthily and the flowers are vivid and bright. However, if there is continuous rain or they are grown for a long time in a partially shady spot they may grow poorly and become weak. The stems will not be straight, the leaves will be soft and droop in yellow green, and the flower head will be small and irregular. 

Sunflowers are generally sown in late winter or spring and will bloom 60 to 70 days after sowing. The seeds should be sown directly into the soil, with spacing between the seeds of at least 12 cm. After sowing, a 2 cm layer of fine soil should be used to cover the seeds.  

If sunflowers are sown in seed trays, deep seed trays should be used. First, place the compost into the seed tray, thoroughly water it, and wait for the excess water to drain before sowing. Sow each seed in a hole, cover it with a thin layer of soil, place the tray in a shady place, and wait for the young seedlings to appear. Once the seedlings appear, ventilate them well, reduce the humidity and temperature, and gradually expose the seedlings to sunlight. Two weeks after sowing, the seedlings will grow to about 5 cm. At this time, the seedlings can be transplanted into a 10 cm pot and cared for until planting out.  

Please note that sunflowers should not be continuously planted in the same soil or in soil where other plants of the same family have been planted, otherwise they will grow poorly. It is recommended that the soil is replaced once a year, or that sunflowers are grown in a different area. 

It is a cross-pollinated plant that can be naturally pollinated by insects and bees .