90 – 110 days. Soraya sunflower seeds grow a vibrant orange twist to the traditional American sunflower that promises to excite your porch, patio, and garden with up to 20 – 25 blooms per season. Soraya seeds grow a rare branching sunflower reaching as high as 60 – 72” tall showing off brilliant, AAS award-winning 4 – 6” heads of pumpkin-golden petals and chocolate-seeded centers. Soraya sunflowers are unique, floral shop favorites used as a bright orange substitute to tired fresh cut arrangements. Soraya sunflower seeds grow tenacious garden performers noted by AAS judges for their “distinct orange petals” and “vigorous producing 4 – 6” blooms.” 500 Seeds.
Growing Soraya Sunflower Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Helianthus annuus
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Sunflowers generally grow so hardy and vigorously that there is little reason to start seeds indoors. Sow directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and shelter from strong winds. However, for early spring blooming, start Soraya seeds indoors 3 – 4 weeks prior. Seeds will take 7 – 14 days for germination. Early plants may need staking in addition to wind protection, but plant will branch out as it matures.
- Days to Maturity: 90 – 110 days
- Hardiness Zone: 2 – 10
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ½" deep
- Plant Spacing: 18 – 24"
- Growth Habit: 60 – 72” tall branching upright with 18 – 24” spread and 4 – 6” blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, loamy, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Plants are heat and drought tolerant, but susceptible to mold and mildew in poorly-drained soil. Adjust staking and wind protection as plants mature. Trim back branches to shape and keep Soraya sunflower from becoming weedy and invasive. Monitor regularly for foliage-eating caterpillars and beetles, but Soraya sunflowers have no serious pests or diseases.
- Color: Pumpkin golden yellow petals with a chocolate-seeded center
Sunflowers generally grow so hardy and vigorously that there is little reason to start seeds indoors. Sow Soraya sunflower seeds directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and shelter from strong winds. However, for early spring blooming, start Soraya seeds indoors 3 – 4 weeks prior. Soraya seeds will take 7 – 14 days for germination. Early plants may need staking in addition to wind protection, but plant will branch out as it matures. For direct sowing, plant 2 – 3 Soraya sunflower seeds ½” deep and 18 – 24” apart in loamy, moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Soraya sunflowers are heat and drought tolerant, but susceptible to mold and mildew in poorly-drained soil. Adjust staking and wind protection as plants mature. Trim back branches to shape and keep Soraya sunflower from becoming weedy and invasive. Monitor regularly for foliage-eating caterpillars and beetles, but Soraya sunflowers have no serious pests or diseases. Soraya seeds mature in 90 – 110 days with 60 – 72” tall branching upright sunflowers, an 18 – 24” spread and 4 – 6” blooms of pumpkin golden yellow petals with a chocolate-seeded center.
Soraya sunflowers are a 2000 All-American Selections (AAS) Flower Winner and are noted by judges for their “distinct orange petals”, “vigorous producing 4 – 6” blooms”, and “perfect cut flowers.”