Variety field guide
What to expect from Red Sun Sunflower
Red Sun brings rich red and bronze tones to tall, branching sunflower plants.
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Red Sun brings rich red and bronze tones to tall, branching sunflower plants. Dark centers set off the warm-colored petals, making a striking contrast beside yellow flowers or green foliage. Cut stems add depth to summer bouquets, while flowers left in the garden offer food for visiting bees. Colors and height can vary from plant to plant, so leave room for a generous display and enjoy the differences as new blooms open.
Minimum seeds per packet: 50 seeds.
Warm red and bronze sunflowers for garden and vase.
Variety and background
Red Sun is a branching sunflower. The 1978 AAS Red Sun award was for a zinnia, not this sunflower.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Helianthus annuus |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / harvest basis | 70-79 Days |
| Seed depth | 1/2-1 in |
| Germination | 7-14 days |
| Germination temperature | 70-75 F |
| Plant height / spread | 61–72 in |
| Habit | Upright/Erect |
| Plant spacing | 18-24 in |
| Row spacing | 30 in |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Pollination type | Open-Pollinated (OP) |
Starting from seed
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites.
Planting and care
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites. Red Sun is a branching sunflower. The 1978 AAS Red Sun award was for a zinnia, not this sunflower.
Harvest and use
Cut flowers as petals begin to open and place in water. Leave some heads for birds, or collect when the backs brown and seeds loosen. For seed, isolate other H. annuus and save from several healthy plants; dry fully.
Saving seed
Save seed from several healthy, true-to-type Red Sun plants identified before harvest. Confirm the pollination system of Helianthus annuus, separate compatible varieties that flower together, and remove clear off-types before they shed pollen or seed. Allow fruit, pods, ears, or seed heads to reach full biological maturity, then clean and dry the seed completely. Label the lot with variety, source, year, isolation method, number of seed plants, and any selection notes; store it cool, dark, and dry and test germination before an important planting.
Common problems
Common concerns: damping-off from saturated media; poor emergence from wrong temperature or depth; leggy seedlings from weak light; crowding and weak airflow; lodging in wind or rain; feeding damage from slugs, caterpillars, beetles, or mammals; foliar disease under prolonged leaf wetness; bird or squirrel feeding on maturing heads; stem lodging on giant plants. Management: use clean media, the sowing depth and temperature, strong light, appropriate thinning, and morning irrigation at soil level. Match support to plant height before wind becomes a problem. Inspect regularly and use the least disruptive control appropriate to the pest, plant, and pollinator setting. Remove diseased debris and rotate annual flower beds where recurring disease is severe.
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes this selection?
Red Sun is a branching sunflower. The 1978 AAS Red Sun award was for a zinnia, not this sunflower.
How should I start it?
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites.
When and how should I harvest?
Cut flowers as petals begin to open and place in water. Leave some heads for birds, or collect when the backs brown and seeds loosen. For seed, isolate other H. annuus and save from several healthy plants; dry fully.
Can I save seed?
Save seed from several healthy, true-to-type Red Sun plants identified before harvest. Confirm the pollination system of Helianthus annuus, separate compatible varieties that flower together, and remove clear off-types before they shed pollen or seed. Allow fruit, pods, ears, or seed heads to reach full biological maturity, then clean and dry the seed completely. Label the lot with variety, source, year, isolation method, number of seed plants, and any selection notes; store it cool, dark, and dry and test germination before an important planting.
