®
Vincent s
Sunflower
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
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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
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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 S Orange
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.
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.
Competitor’s Variety S
Orange Extra Early Type
Competitor’s Variety S
Orange Extra Early Type
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 4555°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
posible 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 57 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
Round, overlapping petals from sturdy flower heads that hold up
better during transport. Vincent’s Choice flower petals are a deep
and vibrant orange color and highly attractive to consumers.
Competitor‘s
Variety S
Orange
F1 Vincent®s Choice
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
Flower Shape Comparison
Sunrich Gold
Sunrich Orange
Vincent’s Fresh
Vincent’s Choice
Procut Orange
Sunbright
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 Choice
Harvesting stage Vincent’s Choice
Opens uniformly and
round to desired
specification !
Harvest Stage
Typical harvest stage at Dutch auction.
Sunflower F1 Vincent®s Series
Vase life performance is good for both Vincent®s Choice and
Fresh. In general, flowers last 10-14 days.
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.
Vincent®s Choice grown hydroponically for
bouquets
Sold in 10 stem bunches
Vincent Choice
Sunflower trial at Salinas
Sowing in July
Blooming in September 2014
Sowing at week 29
Series
Vincent
Vincent
Sunrich
Sunrich
ProCut
ProCut
Color
Choice
Fresh
Gold
Orange
Orange
Lemon
1st
flower
4-Sep
5-Sep
8-Sep
8-Sep
4-Sep
4-Sep
50%
100%
Day to 50%
flower
flower
from sowing
8-Sep
12-Sep
55
8-Sep
12-Sep
55
15-Sep 18-Sep
62
15-Sep 18-Sep
62
9-Sep
12-Sep
56
5-Sep
10-Sep
52
Vincent Choice / Vincent Fresh
Photo taken on September 12th (59 days from sowing and 8 & 7 days from first open flower).
Sunrich Orange / Sunrich Fresh
Photo taken on September 12th (59 days from sowing and 4 days from first open flower)
ProCut Orange / ProCut Lemon
ProCut flowers face downward
Photo taken on September 12th (59 days from sowing and 8 days from first open flower).
Sowing at week 30
Series
Vincent
Vincent
Sunrich
Sunrich
ProCut
ProCut
Color
Choice
Fresh
Gold
Orange
Orange
Lemon
1st
50%
100%
Day to 50%
flower
flower
flower
from sowing
8-Sep
15-Sep 18-Sep
55
12-Sep 15-Sep 22-Sep
55
15-Sep 22-Sep 23-Sep
62
15-Sep 22-Sep 23-Sep
62
8-Sep
15-Sep 18-Sep
55
8-Sep
12-Sep 18-Sep
52
Vincent Choice / Vincent Fresh
• Text
Photo taken on September 12th (52 days from sowing and 4 & 0 days from first open flower)
Sunrich Orange / Sunrich Fresh
Photo taken on September 12th (52 days from sowing and -3 days from first open flower)
ProCut Orange / ProCut Lemon
ProCut flowers face downward
Photo taken on September 12th (52 days from sowing and 4 days from first open flower)