Greenhouse Care for a Sunflower Seedling

Germination

• The best seeds for planting can be weeded out by initially germinating seeds in a greenhouse setting. Dampen paper towels and place the sunflower seeds on top, before folding the towel back over the seeds. Allow the seeds to remain inside the paper towel in the greenhouse for two to three days. Check back on the seeds by removing the paper towel cover to see which seeds have begun to germinate. Seeds with small green sprouts will typically grown the best when planted in soil.

Planting

• Approximately one week prior to the last frost in your area, transfer the seeds to pots. Fill individual peat pots approximately three quarters of the way to the top with potting soil before poking two to three germinated seeds below the surface in each pot. Seeds should be planted 1 inch deep in the pot. Use the distance from the tip of your finger to between the first and second knuckle as a reference point.

Water

• Water is essential to helping sunflower seedlings flourish. While kept in a greenhouse setting, provide enough water to seedlings so that the soil in which they are planted stays moist. Each pot should not be flooded, or allowed to become dry. It is important to check the moisture of the potting soil each day. Determine whether or not the sunflower seedlings need more water by feeling the soil. It should be damp and easily hold together in a small ball when squeezed in the palm of your hand.

Transplanting

• Sunflower seedlings needs to be moved out of a greenhouse growing setting no more than one week after the germinated seedlings have sprouted through the soil. One of the most important features of a sunflower is the tap root. This long, deep root allows the sunflower to anchor itself in the ground, and support the weight of a tall stock and large flower. Keeping sunflower seedlings in pots for too long will stunt the growth of the tap root and sunflower itself.