Helianthus Sunny Smile Grower Fact


Helianthus Sunny Smile
(Helianthus annuus)

COLOR: Golden yellow petals, dark center
GARDEN SIZE: Annual, height: short days = 6-10¡±, long days = 15-18¡±

NOVELTY CHARACTERISTIC: Early blooming; branching, pollenless dwarf; flowers are a rich color with broad petals and maintain an excellent shape without petal curling

MARKET USE: Pot crop, impulse sales item

 

CULTURAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONTAINER SIZE:
SOWING:
FINISH CONTAINER: 4?¡± to 6¡± or gallon, or multiples in larger containers
PLUG STAGE:
GERMINATION Emergence 5-10 days / 75 to 80¡ãF / cover seed, approximately .5¡± in winter less than .5¡± is preferred
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:
FINISHING:
TRANSPLANT: 21 to 25 days
SOW TO FLOWER: 8 weeks
TEMPERATURE: 75-85 ¡ãF day / 65-70 ¡ãF night
EC: 1.75-3.0 mS/cm (pour thru method)
pH: 5.8-6.2

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

NOTES:
- A-Rest, B-Nine, Bonzi & Sumagic are all effective on this variety
- Avoid overwatering sunflowers. 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.
- Nutritional and/or water stress early in the culture of Helianthus (especially in plug trays) can cause premature budding and lower finish quality