Sunflower Kong F1 (treated seed)

SKU: F1273.pkt

A really, really tall sunflower growing up to 4.5 metres! A multi-branching habit producing many sturdy-...

NZ $3.00

novelty-plant

cut-flower

border-plant

Size:

35 seeds

Sunflower Kong F1 (treated seed)

NZ $3.00

Botanical Name

Helianthus annuus

Lifecycle

Annual

Sowing Time

October - February

Growing Guidance

PLEASE NOTE: This seed is TREATED in order to meet biosecurity import regulations. As a general rule of thumb, hybrid sunflowers will not have pollen but open pollinated varieties will have pollen. Slug bait is recommended if you are sowing directly into the garden. Birds have also been known to pull the seedlings out so as a precaution cover seedlings for the first week with newspaper, shade cloth or bird netting.

Preferred Site

Full Sun

Preferred Growing Method

Direct Sow

Soil Temperature for Optimum Germination

20-30°C

Days to Germination

7-14

Days to Maturity

85-95 days from direct sowing

Plant Height

Grows to 240-450cm

Sowing Time

Sowing time refers to the optimum time for sowing seed of a variety to encourage strong and vigorous growth. Whilst some varieties may be able to be sown outside the range suggested, they will generally perform best when sown in the approximate seasonal ranges provided.

A lot of seeds need consistent warmth to help them germinate. The best way to achieve this is to sow at the right time. By sowing in season when the conditions are optimum for seed germination you are increasing your chances of success. Slight bottom heat, approximately 20°C, can speed germination of many varieties.

To reference the best sowing times for a variety, we use sow numbers as detailed here:

Early Spring
Late Spring & Early Summer
Late Summer & Early Autumn

Growing Method

DIRECT SOW

Soil Preparation: Turn over garden soil with spade or fork. A loose soil enriched with moderate amounts of organic matter or fertiliser to supply nutrients is best. Add any other conditioners such as peat moss, compost or sand etc., if not added the previous autumn. Break up the clods of earth and rake to produce a fine surface.
Sowing: Sow seed evenly in rows as directed. Lightly cover the seed with soil, a sieve may be useful. Depth should be no more than twice the diameter of the seed. In the case of very fine seed no covering is needed. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the soil to create a firm surface.
Watering: Water the soil either by a watering can or hose using a very fine spray until the surface appears damp.
Thinning: When seedlings are about 6cm high or have developed their first true leaves (recognisable as those of the sown species) the row should be thinned out to the plant’s required spacing.
Moisture Management: Keep soil moist but not drenched to ensure germination and rapid growth. When watering overhead, water earlier in the day to prevent having wet leaves overnight when the conditions are not as suitable for drying promoting disease development. The soil should appear dark and not brown to indicate appropriate moisture levels.

General Definitions

Annual

A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germinates, grows a plant, flowers, produces seed, dies) in one season. It may self-sow, thereby giving the impression of being perennial. Most annuals will flower 60 to 75 days from sowing.

Hardy Annual

An annual that does not need to be germinated indoors but can be sown direct into its growing position in the garden in spring and is tolerant of frost.

Tender Annual

An annual that is frost tender and can be germinated indoors. Sowing direct or planting outdoors must not occur until all danger of frost has passed (also known as a Half-Hardy Annual).

Biennial
A plant that completes its entire life cycle in two years - growing in the first, reproducing and dying in the second. Typically, but not always, producing flowers only in the second year.

Perennial

A plant that can live for more than two years, surviving the winter and flowering each year from the second season. Perennials may flower within 90 days of sowing in their first season but will more typically flower in their second
season.

Hardy Perennial

A perennial that is frost-tolerant.

Tender Perennial

A perennial that is frost tender.

Hardy

A plant that will survive frost.

Tender

A plant that will not survive frost.

Bolting

Going to seed. Premature formation of a seed stalk, may be due to plant stress.

Botanical Name

The formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature for plants. Identifies the genus and species to which the plant belongs useful in distinguishing plants uniquely.

Cotyledon

The seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form from the later true leaves.

True Leaves

The leaves that emerge after the cotyledons which are indicative of the true form
of the plant’s leaves.

Determinate

Growth stopped by development of terminal flower buds. A dwarf/bush variety which sets fruit in a concentrated period.

Indeterminate

Growth continuing indefinitely when leaf buds form at the tip of the growth. These varieties need to be staked and continue to set fruit until frost.

Heirloom

A variety that is older than two generations (50 years). Can also be referred to as “Heritage” and is always an open pollinated variety selected for garden performance (flavour, long harvest).

Hybrid

A plant resulting from a cross between two parent plants to give a genetically superior plant i.e. improved disease resistance, better vigour, more uniform harvest. Normally, seed saved from hybrids does not grow true to type.

F1 - The first generation of such a cross. Denoted in the name of the variety.

F2 - The second generation of such a cross etc.

Open Pollinated

Natural cross between plants of the same variety. Refers to non-hybrid seeds or plants.

NPK

Basic nutrient needs of plants:

Nitrogen
(N) - for green growth, healthy soil and microbial activity

Phosphorus
(P) - for flower, fruit and seed production; vigorous roots and disease resistance

Potassium
(K) - essential for building plant tissue (important for young plants) and the
quality and size of fruit.

pH A measurement for the acidity/alkalinity of soil, needed for nutrientavailability and microbial activity.

Scarification

Thepractice of scratching or notching the seed coat to assist germination. Usually
applies to hard coated seed.