Sunflowers for profit

videorov · February 13, 2017

Im here in west coast central Florida and thinking of growing more sunflowers and this time to sell for you pick.
I wonder how long I should space the planting days so I have some blooming all the time.

How long will they bloom for picking I wonder.

PhilaGardener · February 13, 2017

I'd recommend some of the branching types that put out more than one bloom (on side shoots) so the planting keeps yielding. They have good lengths for picking.

MissMoustache · February 13, 2017

This information is from the book The Flower Farmer.

Grow pollen less varieties: Sunbright, Chianti (red, branching), Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, and Moonbright. Autumn Beauty and Velvet Queen are suggested for their unusual colors. Teddy bear, Sunbright, Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, Happy Faces, Taiyo, Golden Pheasant, Sunbeam, and Giant Sungold will last more than ten days in the vase. Sunbright does well as a dried flower.

The book suggests to transplant after last frost for first crop and then direct seed at the same time for a second flush of flowers.

I guess it depends which variety you grow and how long to flowering? I would grow different varieties and stagger the planting like farmers do for corn. So for example: start an early variety inside to transplant out and direct sow a mid season and late season variety for later flushes of flowers. Being in such a long season you could probably do a short season one again a month or two after you transplant and direct sow.

videorov · February 13, 2017

Thanks for the replies and the info and types I will write all the types down and give them a try. Yes lots of different colors would be nice. I have had people wanting to buy some in the past while they were buying some veggies from me.

videorov · February 14, 2017

I wonder what a good price would be for you pick sunflowers.
Will have to look around who is the best to buy from too.

videorov · February 18, 2017

Looks like they are getting around $1.50 to $2.00 per stem at farms that sell
you picks. Some of the large sunflowers are even more.

BigVanVader · February 18, 2017

you can sell them in pots (the dwarf ones) for $5

videorov · February 18, 2017

What type of pot, just some plastic ones and how big.

BigVanVader · February 18, 2017

yeah, 1 gallon plastic. In your area your price may be different

videorov · February 18, 2017

How tall do you let them get before you sell them?

Thanks for your info.

BigVanVader · February 18, 2017

Depends on the variety but you want to wait until just before or right after the flowers open.

February 13, 2017	#1
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	Sunflowers for profit Im here in west coast central Florida and thinking of growing more sunflowers and this time to sell for you pick. I wonder how long I should space the planting days so I have some blooming all the time. How long will they bloom for picking I wonder.

February 13, 2017	#3
MissMoustache Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Cold hardy zone 4b-5a, Heat zone 4-5, Sunset zone 43 Posts: 228	This information is from the book The Flower Farmer. Grow pollen less varieties: Sunbright, Chianti (red, branching), Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, and Moonbright. Autumn Beauty and Velvet Queen are suggested for their unusual colors. Teddy bear, Sunbright, Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, Happy Faces, Taiyo, Golden Pheasant, Sunbeam, and Giant Sungold will last more than ten days in the vase. Sunbright does well as a dried flower. The book suggests to transplant after last frost for first crop and then direct seed at the same time for a second flush of flowers. I guess it depends which variety you grow and how long to flowering? I would grow different varieties and stagger the planting like farmers do for corn. So for example: start an early variety inside to transplant out and direct sow a mid season and late season variety for later flushes of flowers. Being in such a long season you could probably do a short season one again a month or two after you transplant and direct sow. __________________ Books, cats, gardening...life is good! gwendolyninthegarden.blogspot.com

February 13, 2017	#4
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	Sunflowers Thanks for the replies and the info and types I will write all the types down and give them a try. Yes lots of different colors would be nice. I have had people wanting to buy some in the past while they were buying some veggies from me.

February 14, 2017	#5
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	I wonder what a good price would be for you pick sunflowers. Will have to look around who is the best to buy from too. Last edited by videorov; February 14, 2017 at 01:10 PM.

February 18, 2017	#6
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	Sunflowers Looks like they are getting around $1.50 to $2.00 per stem at farms that sell you picks. Some of the large sunflowers are even more.

February 13, 2017	#2
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	I'd recommend some of the branching types that put out more than one bloom (on side shoots) so the planting keeps yielding. They have good lengths for picking.

February 18, 2017	#7
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	you can sell them in pots (the dwarf ones) for $5

February 18, 2017	#8
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	Sunflowers What type of pot, just some plastic ones and how big.

February 18, 2017	#10
videorov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bradenton, Fla Posts: 21	sunflowers How tall do you let them get before you sell them? Thanks for your info.