How long does it take for sunflower seeds to germinate

Q: How long should you soak sunflower seeds for germination?

Start the process by soaking the seeds for 11/2 - 2 hours at room temperature. A good ratio will be about half to one cup sunflower seeds with two cups water. Next, drain and rinse the seeds thoroughly (youre getting rid of that pesky phytic acid!).

Sunflowers will grow in just about any well-drained soil, and they are drought tolerant. Annual flowers that can grow to incredible heights in just one season. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow sunflowers from seed.

Table of Contents Show

Things You'll Need
References
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?
How do I make sunflower seeds germinate faster?
Why are my sunflower seeds not sprouting?
Should I soak my sunflower seeds before planting?
How long should you soak sunflower seeds for germination?

Latin
Helianthus annuus
Family: Asteraceae

Difficulty
Easy

Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun

Timing
Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date. Starting indoors is possible, but does not gain much time. If sunflowers are allowed to get root-bound, they will lack stability at transplant time, and will require staking. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-30°C (70-85°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.

Starting
Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Space dwarf varieties 15cm (6″) apart, but give the giants lots of room at 1m (3′) between plants.

Growing
To grow really big plants with really big flowers, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m (10′) of row, and irrigate regularly. When the plants are 30cm (12) tall, dissolve 5ml (1 tsp) of borax (for boron) in 350 ml (12 fl oz) of water and spread the solution over 5m (15′) of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution. This application of boron will produce bigger seeds and flower heads. Do not apply boron to other garden plants. When the back of the flower head turns yellow, it is ready to be cut from the plant.

Companion Planting
Sunflowers planted near rows of corn are said to increase yields. Sunflowers can be used to draw heavy metals, toxins, and even radiation from soil, but should be burned at the end of the season if grown for this purpose. Plant sunflowers amid squash plantings to improve pollination and overall production.

Video

Sprouting sunflower seeds in the winter and sprouting in the summer present different challenges. Try increasing or decreasing the time and number of rinse cycles if your sprouts are hardening late or prematurely. Alternatively, adjust the temperature of your refrigerator if the seeds seem to be sprouting irregularly.

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Sprouts should have a tough, crunchy feel. If you have very soft sprouts, you may have added too much water or let the sprouts sit for too long.
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Proper sprouting depends upon keeping your seeds moist and continually draining them. Never leave sprouting seeds uncovered, as the air will dry them out prematurely. Likewise, do not store sprouting seeds in a warm area.
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Things You'll Need

Raw, unsalted, hulled sunflower seeds
Water
Canning jar or other large, open-mouthed jar
Canning lid or heavy cloth
Strainer
Refrigerator

References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To sprout sunflower seeds, start by purchasing some hulled sunflower seeds and placing them in an open jar. Then, fill the jar with water so the seeds float on top. Leave the seeds in the water for around 8 hours, by which time they should have sprouted. Next, remove them from the jar, pour out the water, and return the seeds to the empty jar. Finally, place the jar in an area away from direct sunlight and let the seeds finish sprouting for another 1-3 days. For tips on how to grow greens or germinate sunflower seeds, read on!

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Reader Success Stories

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How do I make sunflower seeds germinate faster?

You can soak your sunflower seeds before planting to encourage faster germination. Put them in clean water and let them sit for up to 24 hours before planting. However, this type of soaking is not required. As long as the growing medium is warm and damp enough, your sunflower seeds should germinate well.

Why are my sunflower seeds not sprouting?

The primary reasons for failed germination are: Seeds get eaten – mice, voles, birds, and wireworms all eat seeds. Check to see that the seed is still in the soil. Seeds rot – planted too deeply, over-watered, or in cold weather, our untreated seeds may simply rot.

Should I soak my sunflower seeds before planting?

Before planting them directly into your garden, you do not need to soak sunflower seeds.

How long should you soak sunflower seeds for germination?

Start the process by soaking the seeds for 1¹^/² - 2 hours at room temperature. A good ratio will be about half to one cup sunflower seeds with two cups water. Next, drain and rinse the seeds thoroughly (you're getting rid of that pesky phytic acid!).