Zohar Sunflower - Organic

seeds

Helianthus annuus
(55-65 days) F-1 hybrid. Annual. This splendid single-stem sunflower matches the cutting standard ProCut® Orange in reliability, quality and timing. Radiant golden petals surround a dark pollenless center and plenty of chutzpah! Pollenless blooms are a bummer for the bees, but a boon for your tablecloths and for organic growers competing with imported industrially farmed sunflowers. High-quality organic flower seed for professional florists can be hard to come by; we hope that trend is changing as more gardeners and flower farmers see the value of buying OG seed. Vote with your dollars, y’all!

Flower size of single-stem sunflowers are somewhat determined by spacing, fertility and water. Plant them very close together for mini-sunflowers; 6–8" apart for mixed bouquets; and 12" apart for larger heads. Zohar, like many sunflowers, is day-length sensitive—they will grow taller and take longer to bloom if they’re started with less than 12–13 hours of daylight (not much of a concern in Maine), and may flower on short stems if planted too late in the summer. Plant successions for a continued harvest.

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This item is certified organic

5560 Zohar - Organic

Shipping

From early May through October 31, items shipping from our garden seeds warehouse ship twice a week, usually Tuesday and Thursday. For quickest turnaround time order online by noon Monday or Wednesday.

Additional Information

Sunflower

Annual. Sunflower remains have been found in the Tabasco region of Mexico dating back more than 6000 years. Prized for their seeds by humans and birds, and for cutflowers by market growers, sunflowers also add a lighthearted touch to gardens. Sales soared in the spring of 2020. As our facilitator Ann says, “In hard times sunflowers make people happy.”

Culture: Easy to grow. Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost at temperatures of 65–75° or direct sow after frost, 3 to a pocket. Thin to best plant, 1' or more apart. Rich friable soil yields tallest plants; drought stunts growth. Will readily self-sow; for some fun leave a few volunteers in strategic locations.

Pollen or pollen-free? Although flower arrangers often eschew sunnies with pollen, Eliza Lindsay of Portland, Ore., speaks for our pollinators: “Sunflowers that produce pollen are my favorite. They feed the bees first and later the birds.” She says to grow sunflowers for cutting and to feed your pollinators, too, you must allow some of the flowers to remain uncut to complete their life cycle. Branching varieties are tops for this purpose since taking cuts encourages branching.

She offers tips for handling harvest and post-harvest for varieties with pollen. “The trick to sell them is to harvest prior to pollination. Once pollinated, flowers begin to senesce. Harvest when the petals are fully colored, clearly visible, but unexpanded and wrapped around the flower head. Harvest with long stems set in clean water in a cool dark place. Change water daily and recut stems as necessary. They will fully open in a few days, produce pollen in the vase, but have a long vase life.”

All varieties have pollen unless noted otherwise.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.