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

Greenhouse Production
Outdoor 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 F1 Vincent®s Fresh

(Orange) (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.
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series
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.

F1 Vincent®s Choice

18 days after sowing

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

↓ Vincent®s Choice

Competitor ↓
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Choice

Clean cuts, hardly any wounds when stripping foliage

↓Vincent®s
Choice →

↑Competitor
 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
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

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.
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

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 F1 Vincent®s Series

Sunflower Vincent®s series flowers uniformly in the field.

CHOICE FRESH
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

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
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

An extra ring of petals provides a better

filled and more attractive flower

Competitor‘s
Variety S
Orange
F1 Vincent®s Choice
 Sunflower F1 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.
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series

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.
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Choice

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.
 Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series
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