How to Grow Sunflower Seeds?

My first time to grow Sunflower from the seeds was a success! How to grow Sunflower Seeds? It was actually the question I have in mind before planting it. Now, I found the answer to that query.

What I am going to share here is based on my experience as farmer in my home garden. I love gardening! I was like my father who loves to plant. Way back home with my parents, I was wondering why my dad took the time in planting. He enjoyed storing any kind of seeds, plant it, and keep different kind of plants. I recall some plants in my ancestral house such as Palm tree, San Francisco plants, Fortune plant, Pandan, and other plants that I almost forgot. As I mature, I understand how it feels to take care of plants. Gardening is worth rewarding.

To broaden my interests in gardening, my friend and I attended a seminar about home gardening at Sanctuario Nature Farms last March  2019. The seminar was entitled “Gulayan sa Tahanan: Malusog na Pinoy Hapag Kainan“. It was a full day of educational planting talk and activity. The host Ma’am Michelle Razo of Sanctuario Nature Farms is knowledgeable about the topic. She and her staff are accommodating. They are also generous in sharing tips and plants or seeds available at the farm. So grateful to be part of the event.

Moving forward, let me share with you “How to grow Sunflower from Seeds?” Make it simple.

Where to buy sunflower seeds? You may buy sunflower seeds at a garden store or hardware garden section. Ramgo brand is the widely distributor of quality seeds in the PhilippinesI’ve known so far.

How to grow Sunflower Seeds?

1. Prepare potting mix.  Use 30% compost or organic fertilizer and 7% garden soil. If vermicast is abundant use 50% vermicast & 50% carbonized rice hull. You can use a plastic cup or any seedling pot to plant you seeds.

2. For faster seed germination, do seed cracking. You can use a nail cutter or scissors in removing the seed coat near the tip. Be careful not to cut the tip of the seed

Seed cracking method for faster seed germination

3. For faster seed germination, do seed cracking. You can use a nail cutter or scissors in removing the seed coat near the tip. Be careful not to cut the tip of the seed.

4. Sow the cracked seed with the tip facing the soil in a slightly slanting position. Do not cover the seed with soil. See the picture below.

5. Water it. Use a spray bottle to water it making sure the water reaches the bottom part. For faster germination, you may spray water with LABS or Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum. You will see sprouts in 3 to 10 days from the date of sowing it.

How to make LABS? If you want to make LABS, simply mix 3 Liters of hugas bigas, 2-3 bottle of yakult & 500ml molasses or brown sugar. Ferment for 7-14 days.

Now you know How to Grow Sunflower Seeds, the second is on how to take care of it until the flower blooms.

Sunflower growing tips

• Place the seedling pot of sunflower in a morning sunshine or where there is sunlight partly shaded. Do not expose the sunflower seedling to full sun yet while it does not grow healthy true leaves and sturdy roots. Also, use a spray nozzle to water the sunflower seedling.
• Water your sunflower plant daily. If the weather is hot or humid, water it twice daily.
• When you see healthy true leaves (about five-six leaves) transplant it in a medium pot or in the ground soil with better spacing. After transplanting, place it in full sun or location with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
• Apply organic fertilizer once a week during the seedling stage. Then twice a week when it reaches about two feet. The organic fertilizers I use are Vermitea, FPJ or Seaweeds Fruit Plant Juice, Calphos, Ground egg shell, Epsom salt, and banana peels. You can always use hugas bigas daily in watering your sunflower plant.
• Based on my experience, sunflower is not prone to pests. Sometimes I saw a grasshopper clinging and just shoo it away.
• The advantage of sunflower in a pot is that you can move it to an area with roof when it is rainy season.
• The flower blooms in about three months or more depending on the soil, weather and how you take care of it.
• Voila! Finally done with this.

Next to post is about organic fertilizers.