Sunflower Desire Red

Sunflower Desire Red Description

Dwarf variety with unique red flowers. Long flowering period. Award-winning dwarf red sunflower variety perfect for pots and borders, flowering late into the autumn. RHS Pollinator.

Sow Indoors / Sow Outdoors: Mar to May
Flowering: Jul to Oct

Sowing Indoors
Fill a small (7-8cm) pot with seed compost, shake and level firm with the base of another pot. Water well with a fine rose. Sow seeds individually into compost, pushing seeds to 1cm deep. Place in a propagator at 15-20C or cover pot with cling film and leave in a warm room.

Growing On
When shoots appear, remove cling film. Keep seedlings in a light position, but shade from direct sunlight. Grow on in a minimum temperature of 10C.

Planting Out
Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting out when risk of frost has passed. Water well until established.

Sowing Outdoors
Sow seeds in pre-watered soil at a depth of 1.5cm in their flowering positions. Keep soil moist until seedlings are established. Thin out as required.

Aftercare
Water well, especially in warm weather, and feed regularly when flowering starts.

Advice
Sunflower seeds are not only for wild birds. Cut and hang the mature sunflower seed head upside down in a warm, well-ventilated room. Once dry, push the seeds out of the head and store in a dry cloth bag. Eat as required.