ProCut helianthus are rapidly becoming an essential cut flower for the home nurseryman and market grower alike . Producing huge blooms on single stalks , ProCuts were developed by the helianthus breeders atSunflower Selectionsand are useable in a wide range of colouration include livid , blush , deep red , and even unripe . With strong germination rate ( 90%+ in our records ) and excellent heat energy and drouth tolerance , ProCuts are one of the easiestcut flowersto grow .
Planting ProCut Sunflowers
I plant ProCuts in succession on a 10 - daylight to 2 week planting agenda . I am still experiment with spacing to determine size preferences , butlarge blooms for “ statement ” arrangements are grown at 9 - 12 ” spacing . For smaller blooms , plant at a 6 - 9 ” space to fill mixed bouquets . If you are growing ProCuts for the first time , give them as much spacing as potential to enjoy their full glory .
Where to Plant
For best bloom , plant ProCut sunflowers in a locating that gets full sun throughout the summertime . ProCuts are not particularly picky , but it is a good idea to till in a healthy amount of high - quality compost to improve drainage and provide micronutrients . If you are buy ready - made compost , a good rule of quarter round is one pocketbook per 4’x4 ’ surgical incision . If you are using your own , apply it to a deepness of 2 ” .
How to Plant
plant life seeds to a depth of 1 inch at an initial spacing of 3 ” . It ’s always a good mind to establish more seeds than you will need . Though ProCuts evolve consistently , sunflower sprouts are a favorite of squirrel and hare , and a few sprouts will always be lost to garden pests . Once the seedlings have evolve , slender to the last 9 - 12 ” spacing .
When plant contact a height of 4 - 5 ” inches , enforce a layer of mulch . Mulch will maintain an even moisture stratum and keep disease .
Harvesting ProCut Sunflowers
ProCut sunflower can be harvested when petals first become seeable . This method work well for icteric , orangish , and white varieties , but I have find oneself that red or plum varieties ( specially ProCut Strawberry Blonde or ProCut Plum ) attain deeper , more vivid petal color when left to fully open . This can increase the chance for cuss damage , however , so I like to pick these varieties when they are almost fully loose , but not quite . It ’s a delicate balance !
Days to maturity date for Procuts are name as 50 - 60 days on the seed packet . In 2019 I recorded harvests as early as 45 days from seeds started in July and August .
The most typical feature of ProCut sunflowers is foresightful , straightforward stem . This can make for a stunning transcription in a tall vase . For that reason , I always harvest my ProCuts with at least a 24 ” stem . Once cut from the plant , I dismantle off most of the leave-taking , and then place directly into cool water . To keep stems straight and prevent flower heads from wilt , I connect my flowers with rubber ring into Ralph Johnson Bunche of 5 to 10 .
Sunflowers are “ dirty ” flower . This means that they will begrime the vase water they are put in very chop-chop . To prevent unclean urine , add a few drop-off of bleach to the container urine . Also be sure to change container water day by day to maintain appearing .
Where To Buy
The largest pick of ProCut source is available directly from the stock breeder atsunflowerselections.com . Popular varieties are also available atJohnny ’s .
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