Helianthus F1 Sunrich Orange & F1 Sunrich Lemon
Both varieties are non branching F1 hybrids bred for high quality cut flower production, with strong stems and upright necks that do not bend easily. The flowers can occasionally produce pollen but, normally, under good growing and cultural conditions, there is no pollen. Flowers are of a medium to large size with black centres. Suitable for glasshouse and outdoor use. The reduced sensitivity to day length makes the Sunrich series the most widely grown variety in commercial cut flower production.
Sowing; depends on greenhouse situation and equipment (additional lighting etc)
Germination temperature 18-20°C after 2-3 weeks drop
temperature to approximately 15°C
Water frequently until plants have reached a length of 30cm; from
then on reduce irrigation.
Fertilising; It is advisable to test the soil before
planting. Use a liquid feed (eg 15:5:15 or 20:10:20) at a rate of
200 ppm Nitrogen. pH should be 6.0 - 6.5. Growth can be
controlled with Daminozide at manufacturers recommended rates.
Under glass from week 50-33
Sowings from week 50 to week 6 are, in general, of a poor quality
due to lack in temperatures and light. Assimilation lighting will
result in better quality.
In general the crop needs a daylength of 14 hours or longer until
the fourth or fifth leaf pair. Short days 11 or less hours will
initiate flowering.
Outdoor (undercover) week 9-13
Outdoor general week 14-26. Flowering will start from week 27 and
will continue until leaf quality becomes unacceptable. Flower
size from outdoor production is somewhat larger and of deeper
colour than under glass.
Seed can be sown direct or the plants can be raised in plugs and transplanted. In this case, the plants are ready to transplant 2-3 weeks after sowing.
Growing On
Plant density is approximately 35-40 plants per gross m2
Number of flowers that can be cut as quality flowers is about 27-30
Crop production time varies with the season and variety but is
something like 9 weeks in summer and up to 11-12 weeks in spring
and autumn. Flowers should be cut when almost (¾) open.
The Technical and cultural details are written for gardeners and growers, they are not cut and dried and are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a blue print for growing. A guide for you to use and adjust the data to suit your growing conditions. All information is based on UK conditions and should be used for guidance only. No guarantee is given for the resultant crop, or liability accepted for using the information used on this website in any article web page or cd rom.