Helianthus Big Smile (Helianthus annuus) COLOR: Golden yellow petals, dark center GARDEN SIZE: Annual, height = 10-15” NOVELTY CHARACTERISTIC: early blooming; dwarf plants; nearly day length neutral (can be produced for pots year round) MARKET USE: bedding, summer sales, pot sales, combination planters.

CULTURAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONTAINER SIZE:
SOWING: well suited to sow directly to final container, but large plug sizes (200
cell tray minimum) can be used
FINISH CONTAINER: 4-1/2” to 6” or Gallon, or multiples in larger containers

PLUG STAGE:
GERMINATION emergence 5-10 days / 68-72 °F / cover seed
EC (POUR THRU METHOD): emergence to cotyledon expansion= 0.75 mS/cm
cotyledon expansion to true leaf growth= 0.75-1.0 mS/cm
plug / young plant finish EC= 1.0-1.75 mS/cm
PLUG FINISH TIME: If started in plugs, be sure to transplant out before plants become
stressed or excessively stretched – generally plants are ready for transplanting in about 21-25 days

FINISHING:
TRANSPLANT: 21 to 25 days
DAYS TO FLOWER: 50-60 days
TEMPERATURE: 75-85 °F day / 65-70 °F night
EC: 1.75-3.0 mS/cm (pour thru method)
pH: 6.0-6.5

COMMON DISEASE/PESTS: pythium root rot is especially a problem during cool moist weather

NOTES:
-A-Rest, B-Nine, Bonzi & Sumagic are all effective on this variety.
-Avoid over watering sunflower. Allow plants to dry moderately then water thoroughly.
-Keep plants fed enough to maintain green cotyledons up to flowering. Watch for iron deficiency when pH exceeds 6.8.