Your comments and tips

22 Oct 24, Merlyn Adams (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

I have a high lying farm in magaliesburg. I want to start farming with sunflower in the area. Please advise which cultivar of sunflower seed can I use

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22 Oct 24, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate)

Sunflowers have multiple uses: edible oil, seeds to feed for livestock, snack seeds, flower production etc. You didn't mention your intended use. End use will impact cultivar selection. My best guess is you are trying for oil seeds -- since this is probably the most lucrative sunflower product. Most likely there are University studies for sunflowers in your area to help you with cultivar selection. Your looking for Sunflower seed trial results -- or something like that -- favoring agricultural publications and University papers over other sites. Many of these publications will not be applicable -- so it is a matter of wading through the various publications (from creditable and "neutral" sources) -- clearly much of the information will be "excessively detailed" -- but eventually, hopefully you will find a nice chart the compares the YIELDs for the various cultivars in your area, or an area similar to yours. My search engines always seem to throw me back to North America -- so I am unable to hunt down a good publication/article for you.

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24 Oct 24, Celeste Arcjer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)

One last thought -- and whether this is a good idea or not will depend on the "tastes" in your area. (using info from the net): The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is closely related to sunflowers. Specialty producers treat Jerusalem artichokes as a very versatile, gourmet root vegetable under multiple names such as Sunchoke (created and trademarked by Frieda Caplan) and lambchoke, as well as sunroot, wild sunflower, earth apple, earth pear, and topinambour (in France and Germany). They have also been called French potatoes, German turnips, and Canadian artichokes or truffles. They can be sliced and eaten raw (after washing the edible skin) and are variously described as sweet, savory, nutty, and crunchy, similar to water chestnuts, jicama, or milder radishes. They are often boiled, roasted, or mashed, with a flavor very similar to potatoes or artichoke hearts. They can also be fermented or pickled, and ground into flour. Jerusalem artichokes look similar to ginger root or turmeric and potatoes. They can be short or long and brown, white, red, purple, or grey in skin color. Wild tubers are often red and plants are spread across fields; when cultivated, they appear white and clustered together. Tubers are oblong, with lumps or knobs. The inside is white until exposed to air when the flesh will begin to darken. More than 200 varieties of Jerusalem artichokes exist including Clearwater, Columbia, Mammoth, Oregon, Red Fuseau, Stampede, and White Fuseau. Jerusalem artichokes are a hardy perennial able to grow well in most soils. Ideally, the ground is loamy, loosely packed, and with a slightly alkaline pH value of around 7. Temperatures between 65 to 80°F (16c - 26 c) are preferred for optimal growth, along with 125 or more frost-free days. More sunlight is needed for the initial growing stages, then less is preferable as the tubers form. Precipitation will aid in growth, especially during sprouting, but too much moisture will waterlog plants. In commercial production, Jerusalem artichokes are raised annually, despite their perennial nature. Growth takes 7 months on average, seeds are often planted in early spring for best yields. ...................... certainly worth thinking about. Sunflowers for oil production probably have more "certainty" when it comes to demand. Sun chokes may not have the demand (initially - or maybe ever) in your area to support a farm dedicated to Sun chokes and Sun Chokes are know for their "delicate" skin which may make shipping tricky (avoiding spoilage)..

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24 Oct 24, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate)

I found this publication, which might be a good starting point for you: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02571862.2024.2352174#d1e710 ----- the Abstract starts ---------- Abstract Suitable planting dates and hybrid selection are crucial in optimizing yield, component traits and oil production in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). In South Africa, there is limited information on the effects of planting dates on currently available sunflower hybrids in the marketplace.....

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22 Oct 24, Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

You would probably have more help from a local agricultural advisor. Gardenate is intended for home gardeners, not farmers.

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27 Aug 24, Ray Mills (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)

Where do I buy sunflower seeds Want to grow 5 feet sunflowers across my back fence.

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31 Jul 24, Catherine (Australia - tropical climate)

I live in Cairns. Can sunflowers be grown here and if so, when is the best time to plant these?

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06 Aug 24, (Australia - tropical climate)

Check the planting guide

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30 Jun 24, Maureen McGrath (USA - Zone 8b climate)

What's the latest I can plant sunflowers in my zone?

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28 May 24, Lisa (USA - Zone 7b climate)

I want to plant sunflowers for table arrangements for a fund raiser Oct 19. What variety would be best for a late planting and when should i plant them for the right timing?

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