sunflower vincent s production primer - sakata ornamentals · 2018. 5. 30. · sunflower f1...

Sunflower Vincent®s

Production Primer

Seed

• Vincent seed possesses

high vigor without the

need to prime.

• Available as treated

(Mefenoxam) or

untreated.

• Sold in units of 10M

seeds.

Direct Sowing vs. Plugs

Outdoor Production

Greenhouse Production

Direct Sow

• Will grow well in various soil

types.

• Soil with low EC (>0.7 mmhos).

• Spacing 4 x 5 inches / 10 x 12 cm.

is ideal.

• Minimum night temperature of

54°F/12°C and 75°F/24°C

maximum in the day.

• Covering the seed promotes faster

and more uniform germination.

• Scattering corn on top of bed is

sometimes used to divert birds

from eating seeds.

Plug Production

• Single sow seeds into a well

drained media with a pH

between 5.5 and 6.5.

• No starter charge is necessary.

• Cover the seed completely with

coarse or medium vermiculite.

• Maintain 75°F/24°C air

temperature until emergence,

then decrease to 65°F/18°C.

• Ready to transplant in 10 days.

Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

Variety Character - High germination rate with raw seed.

Competitor’s Variety F1 Vincent®s Choice

(Orange)

F1 Vincent®s Fresh

(Yellow/Green)

Spacing

• Sunflowers grow well in

any type of soil that is

relatively low in fertilizer.

• Choose a sunny site with

good drainage.

• A dense planting of 4 x 5

inches /10 x 12 cm. is ideal

and will reduce the amount

of side branching.


Vincent’s are faster than competitive varieties and show more vigor early in

the production cycle. Maintain consistent fertilization until visible bud.

Calcium nitrate-based fertilizers, such as 15-5-15, work well.

18 days after sowing

F1 Vincent®s Choice

Temperature

• For greenhouse production target a day temperature of 75°F/24°C with a minimum night temperature of 45-55°F/7-13°C.

• Ideal outdoor production avoid producing during periods of high day temperatures (>85°F/29°C) or when the night temperature regularly falls below 42°F/6°C.

Fertilizer Strategy (before visible bud)

• Maintain the EC level

between 0.6 to 1.0 (2:1

slurry) during growing

stage (before visible

flower bud).

Fertilizer Strategy (after visible bud)

• At visible bud reduce EC

and moisture to as low as

possible for a strong and

tight cut flower stem and

longer vase life.

• Some growers apply foliar

applications of KNO3 at

100 ppm N at this stage to

increase flower size.

Excessive fertilizer

• Sunflowers are sensitive

to high salt levels.

• Do not grow in beds

following high nitrogen

crops (like tomatoes).

• High salt levels cause leaf

burn and deformed

flowers.

Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Choice

Good aeration – no “hanging” dew and drops – much less risk for damage

Competitor ↓

↓ Vincent®s Choice


Clean cuts, hardly any wounds when stripping foliage

↑Competitor

↓Vincent®s

Choice →

Vincent®s Choice grown cool

• The following two photos are from a grower in Spain who grew Sunflower Sunbright Supreme and Vincent®s Choice in a cool greenhouse with carnations.

• The winter was cooler than normal and Sunbright Supreme suffered due to the lower temperatures. Vincent is more vigorous and tolerated the lower temperatures better.

• Sunflowers set flower buds at the 3-5 true leaf stage and to avoid flower damage please maintain the following minimum temperatures.

Variety Minimum Night Temperature

Sunbright 45°F

Sunbright Supreme 50°F

Vincent®s Choice and Fresh 42°F

Cool temperature production

Sunbright Supreme

Vincent®s Choice

Vincent®s Choice grown cool still grows well

Vincent®s Choice


Features and Benefits:

• Vincent®s are faster than competitive varieties – a shorter crop cycle

means quicker profits!

• More Day length neutral - better length under short days, more

flexibility in programming

• Round, overlapping petals form sturdy flower heads that hold up

better during transport

• An extra ring of petals provides a better filled and more attractive

flower

• Upward facing flowers don’t hang their heads, but look consumers

proudly in the eye

• Deep orange color of Vincent®s Choice is the true ‘Sunflower shade’

that customers prefer

• Green heart of Vincent®s Fresh features a bright green center that

contrasts beautifully with the bright yellow petals.


The Vincent®s series flowers uniformly.

• The Vincent series has a tight

flowering window with about 5-

7 days from first open flower to

100% flowering.

• Crop time ranges from 55 – 65

days depending on day length

and temperature.

• Best to make staggered sowings

every 4 days to avoid having the

whole field flower at once.


Sunflower Vincent®s series flowers uniformly in the field.

CHOICE FRESH


Upward facing flowers don’t hang their heads, but look consumers proudly in the

eye. The flowers do not need to be wired by the florist.

Vincent®s is much more upward-facing than competitive

varieties


An extra ring of petals provides a better

filled and more attractive flower

Competitor‘s

Variety S

OrangeF1 Vincent®s Choice


Deep Orange color of Vincent®s Choice is the true “Sunflower shade” that

customers prefer

Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Fresh

Green heart of Vincent®s Fresh features a bright green center that

contrasts beautifully with the bright yellow petals.


Spacing determines disc and flower size. Space at a minimum

of 4.5 inches/11.25 cm. for a 2 inch/5 cm. + disc size.


Harvesting stage Vincent’s Choice

Opens uniformly and

round to desired

specification !

Harvest Stage

Typical harvest stage at Dutch auction.

Sunflower Postharvest Care

• Stems should be cut into and held in a commercial holding solution with a biocide or acidified water. Sunflowers benefit greatly from solution with a low pH (acidic). Sunflowers are prone to water stress problems so make sure stems stay hydrated.

• After cutting keep out of direct sun to prolong freshness.

• Store at 36-41°F (2-5°C) for up to a week.


Vase life performance is good for both Vincent®s Choice and

Fresh. In general, flowers last 10-14 days.

Vincent®s Choice grown hydroponically for

bouquets

Sold in 10 stem bunches Vincent Choice

sunflower vincent s production primer - sakata ornamentals · 2018. 5. 30. · sunflower f1...

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