Until markets develop further for these specialty oil types, Missouri growers will be required to ship them to out-of-state markets, but in a few cases there may be a price advantage to growing one of these types. Contact the Jefferson Institute for information on buyers phone The economics of growing sunflowers for birdseed are fairly similar to growing soybeans.
Fertilizer will cost more than soybeans, mainly because some form of nitrogen is needed with sunflowers. Most years, an insecticide will not be needed, so the other production cost is harvest, which is similar to soybeans or corn. An extra cost with sunflowers is created by the distance of transporting them to market. In some cases this can cost a penny a pound or more, depending on distance to market.
Past production studies have shown average yields of around pounds per acre for full season sunflower, and pounds per acre for double crop sunflower. Net income from full season sunflower appears to be comparable to corn or soybeans in Missouri.
Double crop sunflowers often provide better income than double crop soybeans in northern Missouri. Reasons to grow sunflowers include:. As a double crop after wheat, sunflowers are an equally good choice with soybeans for the southern half of Missouri, and are a very good choice for the northern part of the state. Regardless of whether they are grown as a single crop or double crop, sunflowers should not be planted in the same field more than once every three to four years.
Sunflowers, like soybeans, do not leave very much residue, so on erosive fields consider seeding a fall cover crop after sunflowers. Sunflowers generally grow best on well drained soils, are tolerant of clay loam or silty clay loam soils and perform comparatively well on sandy loam soils. Most major seed companies have several varieties of sunflower available. Almost all commercial varieties of sunflowers are hybrids, so new seed should be purchased each year.
Companies have been actively developing new hybrids of sunflowers with better disease resistance and higher yields. Special types with unique seed oil characteristics have been developed through conventional plant breeding not biotech , including "NuSun" sunflowers, that are higher in oleic acid in their seed oil than are conventional oilseed sunflowers.
Reflecting market demands, many companies are releasing NuSun varieties, that are considered mid-level in their oleic acid content there are also "high-oleic" varieties available that are desired for certain food and industrial uses.
Variety test comparisons in Missouri have shown a considerable difference in yield of available varieties, but similarity in height and maturity. For the birdseed market, oil percentage does not matter, but selecting a variety with high oil content may be worthwhile for a vegetable oil market. To get the latest information on variety performance in Missouri, and for a list of seed sources, refer to the Jefferson Institute publication on sunflower varieties phone Row spacing studies have shown that sunflowers do not yield better in narrow rows, whereas wide rows are preferable to allow cultivating for weeds or use a row crop header.
Sunflowers are not particularly sensitive to seeding rate, since head size and seed number per plant will increase in a thinner stand.
Seeding rates can be from 15, to 25, plants per acre. Sunflower seeds vary in size, so seeding rate based on weight must take into account seed size, but will be roughly 3 to 4 pounds per acre.
Number 2 sunflower seeds are largest, while number 5 are smallest. Most sunflower seed available is sized as a 3 or 4. Size of the seed can affect what type of planter modifications are necessary, such as buying new seed plates or finger pickups. Planting sunflower can begin anytime after soils have warmed to 50 degrees F.
April through mid-July. Planting early can allow sunflower to be harvested before corn and soybeans, and will likely avoid any bird damage. Planting late can allow planting after other crops are done, and is less likely to have damage from sunflower moth.
Double crop planting after wheat works well with sunflower, and can be done in the northern part of Missouri since sunflower is more frost tolerant than soybeans in the fall.
Sunflower has modest fertility needs, but does respond to nitrogen. When following soybeans in the rotation, roughly 50 to 70 lbs. Following a non-legume, about 80 to lbs. Animal manure or a legume cover crop can reduce or eliminate need for N fertilizer. One option is to spring plant a legume cover, such as Austrian winter peas in early April, let the legume grow for 2 months, then incorporate the legume and plant the sunflower in early June.
This approach can eliminate the need for N fertilizer if good legume growth occurs. For sunflower planted double crop after wheat, apply about 60 lbs. P and K should be applied based on soil test recommendation; for double cropping, extra P and K for the sunflower can be applied to the wheat the previous fall.
On sandy soils, sunflower is often responsive to extra potassium fertilizer. Sunflower appears tolerant of soils with a pH down to 5.
Starter fertilizer for sunflower will usually be beneficial only in cool soils of early spring, and should not be placed in direct contact with the seed. Weed Control One of the real advantages of sunflower is that its vigorous growth and robust size make it very competitive with most weeds. However, weeds must not be allowed to get a head start on sunflower. Weeds can be controlled either through herbicides or tillage, but most sunflower producers in Missouri make use of both, applying a preplant herbicide and then row cultivating at least once after the sunflower seedlings are established.
For , a broadleaf herbicide called Spartan was given a temporary Section 18 registration for conservation or minimum tillage use in Missouri. A section 18 application has been submitted for Spartan for use on sunflowers again in For grass control after sunflowers have emerged, Poast and Select are available. Prior to planting, Roundup or paraquat can be used as a burn-down, and in the rare situation where a harvest aide dessicant is needed, paraquat or sodium chlorate can be used.
Instead of herbicides, two alternative methods of weed control are to use cover crops such as rye or winter annual legumes , or to use a stale seedbed technique till the soil days prior to planting to stimulate weed seed germination, then till again just before planting to kill those weed seeds. Insects Sunflower is similar to corn in that a lot of insects like to eat it.
Some are occasionally a problem, and a few are worth scouting for, possibly needing treatment once in awhile. At the seedling stage, there is rarely a problem unless a heavy infestation of cutworms are present. As the plant grows, many insects feed on sunflower foliage, including grasshoppers and caterpillars, but seldom do they cause economic damage.
The real stage to be scouting for insect pests is once the flower bud has begun to develop. Head clipper insects which attack the stem right below the head can cause the whole head to fall off, but are not too common.
Pacino sunflowers are perfect for adding to cut flower bouquets and summer flower arrangements. One of the most sought-after colored sunflowers, Moulin Rouge sunflowers grow to about 4 feet tall. They're known for their burgundy red petals that are resistant to fading from the sun. For a multicolored sunflower, try planting Strawberry Blonde sunflowers, which can grow to about 5 feet tall.
The petals fade from a creamy white into a reddish-pink closer to the center. As one of the darkest sunflowers, Chianti sunflowers are known for their deep red wine colored petals. They grow to about 4 to 6 feet tall, produce multiple flowers per stem, and are pollen-free. Growing to about 5 feet tall, Italian White sunflowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies.
Their petals are more slender and less crowded than traditional sunflowers and boast a creamy color. These autumn-hued sunflowers will make a great transition into your fall garden. Earthwalker sunflowers grow to between 6 to 9 feet tall and have petals with dark, earthy hues like brown, red, and gold. Country Life. Design Ideas.
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Treat Your Family to Homemade Cupcakes. Getty Images. Thinking about adding sunflowers to your garden? Read up on these essential grow tips: Sunflowers are some of the best low-maintenance flowers. Sunflowers would rather have too little water than too much.
Sunflowers have long roots that need space to spread out. For average sized sunflowers about 3 feet tall , space your seeds about a foot apart. Sunflowers grown as annuals die after producing their flower heads go to seed. They do not grow and bloom again. These are usually the varieties cultivated for their large size, showy flower heads and edible seeds.
Scientifically known as dwarf sunflowers , these plants love to grow in bunches and occupy small spaces such as gardens and planters. Dwarf sunflowers have the same low maintenance care requirements as their taller family members and grow best when in full sunlight. Health Benefits. Sunflower seeds may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar as they contain vitamin E, magnesium, protein, linoleic fatty acids and several plant compounds 1 , 6 , 7 , 8.
Speaking of the inside of a sunflower , it is made from smaller flowers; the outer petals are known as ray florets. The seeds in the middle have male and female sex organs and can produce seeds. They self-pollinate or attract pollen from wind and insects. The smallest seeds are sold as bird and pet feed. Snack food sunflower seeds are dry roasted, reducing the moisture level in the seed further.
The medium sized seeds are hulled and then roasted in oil. Once flavored, the seeds are packaged in air tight containers to prevent spoilage. The blossom of a typical sunflower is called a head. In the common sunflower , the outer yellow petals are called ray flowers, and the center is composed of numerous disk flowers crowded together.
The entire head is subtended by numerous green bracts called phyllaries. Sunflower Seeds : These mildly nutty seeds are packed with polyunsaturated fats or good fats. They are also a good addition to a weight loss diet.
Filled with protein, fibre and essential minerals like vitamin E, folate and copper, these seeds can make for a healthy bet for sustainable weight loss. Sunflower seeds can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation and in place of higher-calorie, unhealthy snacks. Too much salt in your diet is tough on your heart and kidneys. It may also cause you to retain water and lead to high blood pressure. As the seeds of the sun-worshipping sunflower , they also help to promote glowing, youthful skin.
They're rich in vitamin E, your body's main fat soluble antioxidant. Further benefits of sunflower seeds for a youthful complexion include its high levels of magnesium.
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