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N0311 - HELIANTHUS ANNUUS, SUNFLOWER
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'Solara'
'Solara' is Benary's first pollen-free cut sunflower. 'Solara's dark pollen-free center is surrounded by a dense array of rich golden yellow petals forming large 6" (15 cm) flowers. Longer lasting in the vase, 'Solara' gives added enjoyment in the home. Pollen-free, 'Solara' is no mess and non staining. The pollenless habit adds the extra benefit of less weighty flowers that face upward.
Easy to grow, 'Solara' can be direct sown or transplanted from large plugs. With high germination and uniform flowering, 'Solara' makes an easy crop from sowing through harvest. Early flowering, 'Solara' reduces production costs and means even greater profits for growers. 'Solara's long, non branching stems bring top market prices. In bouquets, combine 'Solara' with Scabiosa 'Fama'®, Eryngium 'Blue Glitter' or any of Benary's asters for attractive bouquets.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION |
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| Life Cycle: | |
Annual
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| Familiy, Origin: | |
Asteraceae, North America
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| Sitelocation: | |
Full sun
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| Garden Height: | |
150 cm
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59,06 inch
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| Flower Size: | |
150 cm
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59,06 inch
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| Crop Time: | |
Plug crop: 3-5 weeks; Cut flower production: 10-12 weeks
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| Sell Period: | |
cuts July-October
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| Seed Form: | |
Raw Seed
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| Sowing Time: | |
Indoor forcing: March-August, sowing in intervals; Outdoor forcing: April-Mid July
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| Sowing Method: | |
1-2 seeds per plug, sowing directly into field is recommended
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| Germination: | |
Field: 10-15 days at 15 °C, Greenhouse: Stage I: 5-10 days at 21-24 °C, Stage II: 5-8 days at 18-20 °C, Stage III and IV: 7-14 days at 15-17 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-6.2. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Field: sow the seeds 3-4 cm deep.
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| Plug Culture: | |
From Stage II reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out. The temperatures should be not below 12 °C, because low temperatures are a cause for bad and slow germination and for yellow edged leaves (iron-deficiency). Keep short days by darkening for a compact and uniform growth. The short day decreases the cultivation time and the flowering is earlier, too. In early spring supplemental lighting is recommended after germination immediately. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC.
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| Growing On: | |
Plant cut flowers in 5-10x40-70 cm space, approximately 30-35 plants per m².
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| Media: | |
Field: Before sowing treat substrate with herbicide or fight the weeds mechanically and fertilize the field. Greenhouse: Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 1-3 kg/m2 complete balanced fertilizer, 0-2 kg/m² slow release fertilizer
(3-6 months), Fe-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-6.2.
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| Photoperiod / Light: | |
Field: Sunny and warm locations. Greenhouse: Short day plant. Keep light levels high. For the flowering Helianthus need short day (maximum 13 h) and high light intensity. Keep short days by darkening for a compact and uniform growth. The short day decreases the cultivation time by 3 weeks and the flowering is earlier, too. In early spring assimilation light is effective for short day. Light deficiency is a cause for shoot stretching and will increase the cultivation time. The short day can be finished when the bud's colours are visible.
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| Temperature: | |
Field: cultivation is possible from April onwards. Grow at 15-18 °C. Cultivate flowering plants not below 12 °C. Helianthus plants do not tolerate frost.
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| Fertilization: | |
Field: N min soil value: approximately 150 g/m². Greenhouse: High fertilization levels are required.
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| Cut Flowers: | |
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when the flower are at least half open and the petals are just beginning to show colour. Remove the bottom leaves and put the stems in warm water. Vase life: 8-10 days. Cold storage is not recommended.
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| Cultural Hints: | |
The distance between plants determines the flower diameter. Pinching of the plant tops is possible. The result are at least 2 stems per plant, but the cultivation time increases by 1-2 weeks.
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* Germination Stages (from seed to finished young plant)
| Stage I: | Starts with the radicle breaking through the testa. The roots are touching the medium. Ends with fully developed cotyledons. |
| Stage II: | Starts from fully developed cotyledons. Ends with the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair. |
| Stage III: | Starts from the fully developed true leaf or true leaf pair and ends with 80% of the young plants being marketable. |
| Stage IV: | All young plants are ready for sale and in the process of being hardened off. This stage lasts about 7 days. |
Hint
The cultural recommendations are based on results from trials conducted under Central European conditions. Different conditions in other parts of the world may lead to deviations in results achieved.
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