Variegated Sunflower - Sunspots

Limit of two per household to ensure availability for others and help preserve this rare variety - thanks!

Sunspots sunflower is an EXTREMELY RARE variegated annual sunflower variety that came from the UK. Plants grow anywhere from 4-7 feet tall, each with a single bright yellow flower head 4-7 inches in diameter, followed by smaller flower heads that form lower on the stalk. But the truly unique feature about Sunspots is the variegation on the green foliage. For any rare plant-lover, these are a must have!

*Please note that all Sunspots seeds will NOT grow into variegated leaf plants— some will be solid green and others will be fully albino and will not survive, so plant extras to yield variegated ones. Approximately 33% of plants are variegated - this is not a failure of the seeds; it is just a feature of this rare strain. We only collect seeds from plants that had pronounced leaf variegation.

10 organic seeds

KEY GROWING INFORMATION

DAYS TO GERMINATION:

7-14 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C)

SOWING:

Direct seed (recommended) - After last frost, sow 1/2" deep. Transplant - Sow into 72 to 50-cell flats 2-3 weeks prior to planting out. Plants dislike root disturbance, but sowing indoors and then transplanting the first crop outdoors can be a successful way to get first-early sunflowers. Do not pinch plants. Pinched single-stem sunflowers will produce low-quality blooms or no blooms at all. Succession-sow every 1-2 weeks and/or plant multiple varieties with varied days to maturity for continuous harvest.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:

Sun.

PLANT HEIGHT:

Varies.

PLANT SPACING:

4-6".

HARDINESS ZONES:

Annual.

HARVEST:

Flowers can be harvested tight, when color first shows, or when almost completely open, depending on your market and preferred use. Dried - Flowers are completely open. Hang or use silica gel.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Light, well-drained soil. Excessive nitrogen may cause plants to grow too vigorously with abnormal flower shapes.

NOTES:

Flower size and stem diameter are controlled by plant spacing, temperature, soil type, and day length. 

USES:

Excellent cut flower or for gardens.