Sunflower Farming

Sunflower Farming: Passionate about Agriculture and having own land can start Sunflower Farming Business. Sunflower is a Profitable Crop in oil Seed Production, 90-115 days to Grow. Suitable to Grow in Rain fed Conditions, ability to perform in climatic and Soil Conditions. Diseases on Sunflower Crop is also easily manageable with preventive and curative measures.

Study about Sunflower Farming: You must have adequate knowledge about the Crop and Farming process. Gather knowledge from Sunflower Farmer or you can attend workshop at Agriculture University. In India, you may also contact to your district Agriculture officer to get information about Seed, technology etc.

Sunflower Farming Plan: First fix the land area. Calculate the expenses of Seed, Nutrients, fertilizer, Pesticides and labor costs. Calculate post harvesting cost Storage, bagging etc. Contact the potential buyer in your locality. Find out best one, you will supply the Seed. Estimate the Budget From beginning to end.

Ideal Soil for Sunflower Farming: Sunflowers are best adapted to moderate to well-dRained Soil types, such as loams and “sandy” Soils, Sunflowers do not tolerate prolonged wet Conditions and should not be planted on low-lying flood-prone sites.

Fix the Seed variety: Select the right Sunflower hybrid Seed, income is depends on gRain and oil yields. So many brands are available in the market. Need to select high yield hybrids with high oil percentage and has the Tolerance to biotic stresses.

Supplies for Sunflower Farming: Concentrate on fertilizer and Nutrients micro and secondary. Soil tests classify the Soil’s ability to supply Nutrients as very low (VL), low (L), medium (M), high (H) or very high (VH). Fertilizer recommendations are based on the level of available Nutrients and a realistic yield goal. Application of phosphorus, potash and micro Nutrients like sulfur and boron is important in Sunflower Farming.

Disease Management: Pests and diseases in Sunflower Farming, preventive sprays of Pesticides before the first 50 days, prevent attack by Helotes and infestation of Alter aria. Sucking pests with timely spray of systematic insecticide in the first 40 days. Follow local Agricultural universities regarding pest and disease management.

Harvesting: Harvest too early end up with an immature, high-moisture Crop, pre disposed to diminished yield, lower quality. Harvest too late, and you will expose the Crop to weathering that degrades Seed quality,lowers economic value, Seed yield losses from lodging, shattering and pests.

Post Harvesting: Cleaning Sunflower before putting it in Storage to maintain quality. Dry Sunflower Seeds before Storage, if it is harvested wetter than 10%. Monitor the moisture and temperature of Seed in Storage. Supply the Seeds in fresh condition to the buyer. Export opportunity also there. Get registered with "Indian OilSeeds and Produce Export Promotion Council".

Farming Sunflowers: Sunflower is sown by Dibbling method which requires 5-6 kg Seed per hectare, while furrow sowing needs 8-10 kg per hectare. The excess Seedlings are thinned 10-15 days after Seedling emergence. Seeds should be treated with captan or ceresan @ 3 g/kg Seed under dryland Conditions.

Are Sunflower farms Profitable: For example, Sunflower Crops often don't get the same considerations farmers give other Crops. “If you look at the analyses in the North Dakota State University crop budgets, the Sunflower crop is, year in and year out, on a per acre basis, one of the most Profitable Crops farmers can Grow.

How much is an acre of Sunflowers worth: higher-dollar Crops.” upwards of $800 or $900 in a good year. about $250 per acre. corresponding higher price per pound of Seed for these lower yielders.

What month do Sunflowers Grow: Seeds can be sown successfully from January to June for flowering during summer and the Rainy season. A light application of fertilizer mixed in at planting time will encourage strong root Growth to protect them from blowing over in the wind.

Why do farmers Grow Sunflowers: Why Grow Sunflowers: There are many benefits to Growing these beautiful blooms including their cut flowers and free edible Seeds. They also attract pest patrolling birds and bees to improve your harvest, and even help detox contaminated Soil.

Do Sunflowers need lots of water: Although Sunflowers require a lot of water to germinate, they only require an inch of water per week during the Growing season. Use a watering nozzle to easily water once a week until the top 6 inches of Soil is moist.

Do Sunflowers bloom more than once: They do not Grow and bloom again. These are usually the varieties cultivated for their large size, showy flower heads and edible Seeds. A few types of Sunflowers, however, can be Grown as perennials, which means they will Grow more flowers again the next season.

How long does a Sunflower live for: The tall single giant headed varieties usually bloom towards late summer and last for 2 to 3 weeks. The smaller and multi headed varieties, perennials too, can start blooming at the beginning of summer and if deadheaded regularly they will keep flowering throughout the summer months.

Do Sunflowers help the Soil: Sunflowers are good for your Soil! The tall stalks stand strong with the help of the root system below. That root system, when allowed to die in place, increases the organic content of your Soil and also increases its water holding capacity.

Is Sunflower a good cover crop: Although we planted them as a cash crop, the Sunflowers functioned essentially as a cover crop for us, improving the Soil as well as looking gorgeous for everyone in our corner of the world.

What are the benefits of Sunflowers: Sunflower Seeds are high in protein and rich in healthy fats, as well as antioxidants that can lower your risk of developing serious Conditions. It's also an excellent source of: Vitamin E.

How many Sunflowers do you plant per acre: Seeding rates can be from 15,000 to 25,000 plants per acre. Sunflower Seeds vary in size, so Seeding rate based on weight must take into account Seed size, but will be roughly 3 to 4 pounds per acre. Number 2 Sunflower Seeds are largest, while number 5 are smallest.

Can I plant Sunflower Seeds in January: Sunflower Seeds or transplants can be planted into the garden from late March through September. Gladiolus corms should be planted into well-prepared beds with good dRainage and full to part sun from late January through late March.

Where should I put Sunflowers in my garden: Sunflowers Grow best in locations with full sun. They are remarkably tough and will Grow in any kind of Soil as long as it is not waterlogged. They do fine in Soils that are slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline (pH 6.0 to 7.5).

How many Sunflower Seeds do you plant in one hole: 3 Seeds. Sow single stem, large- headed Sunflowers as 3 Seeds every 1'–2' apart and ¼"–½" deep. Sow multi-stem Sunflowers 2' apart. Professional cut-flower Growers reduce this spacing by half resulting in longer stems and smaller flowers, which are more desirable for bouquets.

What can I plant next to Sunflowers: Plants said to benefit from Sunflowers Growing nearby are: cucumbers, corn, peppers, tomatoes, soybeans.

Will Sunflowers reGrow after cutting: No, it is an annual plant. It won't come back. You can leave the Seeds hanging in winter for the birds (and harvest some for planting next year), later cut them off and plant new Seeds in spring.

What do you do with Sunflowers after they die: Once your Sunflowers have died back completely and the backs of the blooms are brown, it is time to harvest. You will also notice the Seeds are plump and somewhat loose. Cut the stalk with sharp scissors or pruners, about one foot down from the flower head, and place in a container that can catch any loose Seeds.

Are Sunflowers easy to Grow: Growing Sunflower plants is easy because they're heat tolerant, pest resistant and fast Growing. They're native to North America so they can adapt to Conditions in most locations. You can use them for cut flowers, leave them on the stalk for a gorgeous outdoor display in your garden, or harvest and eat their Seeds.

Wishing you all the best,
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