Description
Endless Blooms. All Season Long.™- The new standard of sunflower offering continuous blooms and up to 12 weeks of color in the garden.
- Increase sales with this premium price point item, that is consumer recognized resulting in sell-through above 90%.
- Season extender, best suited for Sunfinity branded 2.5 qt. and larger containers for landscape use or in larger patio pots.
- Easy to program for spring, summer, or fall flowering utilizing our extensive technical guides.
Features
Growing information
Culture Information
Sunfinity® Bicolor
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Product form: Seed
Containers: 2.5–3 quart, 1.5 gallon and larger patio containers
Habit: Upright
Garden Specifications
Garden height: 36–48" (90–120 cm) tall
Garden width: 24–28" (60–70 cm) wide
Exposure: Full Sun
USDA zone: 11
AHS zone: 12–1
Product use: Beds and large containers
Germination
Germination time: 5–6 days, with full germination in 10–14 days
Media temperature: 68–72 °F (20–22 °C)
Chamber: Optional
Light: Not required
Seed cover: Cover seed with a thin layer of media or coarse-grade vermiculite. Maintaining an even, consistent seed coverage is key to achieve uniform germination.
Seeds per cell: 1
Moisture level: 4 - WET: Soil is dark brown but not shiny, no free water is seen at the surface of the soil, when pressed or squeezed water drips easily, and trays are heavy with a visible bend in the middle.
Young Plant Production
Recommended tray size: 128- to 50-cell plug tray, 72-cell recommended
Temperature
Day: 65–68 °F (18–20 °C)
Night: 65–68 °F (18–20 °C)
Lighting
Day extension lighting: Long days; minimum of 14 hours for fastest finish
Light intensity: 700–900 µmol·m−2·s−1
Day length response: Facultative long day
Daily light integral (DLI): 12–16 mol·m−2·d−1
Media pH: 5.5–5.8
Media EC: SME EC: 1.0–1.5 mS/cm or Press/Squeeze Method EC: 1.5–2.25 mS/cm
Fertilizer: 75–125 ppm N
Plant growth regulators (PGRs): A Bonzi® (paclobutrazol) sprench within 48 hrs of sowing is recommended with concentrations of 2–3 ppm for spring programs, and drenches recommended during summer sowings for additional control of vigor. Sprench volumes being 3–5 quarts per 100 sq ft. Foliar B-Nine® WSG spray at 2,500 ppm can be applied 3 weeks after sowing in especially warm propagation conditions for added control.
Plug grow time: 4 weeks in a 72-cell plug tray
Tech tip: If plugs get too stretched during propagation, they can be planted up to the cotyledons along with a preventive fungicide drench to protect the stem. Off-types are common in hybrid seed breeding, for Sunfinity® you may experience 2–3% of the crop exhibiting off-types. These can easily be culled in propagation approximately 3 weeks after sowing by looking for seedlings that are taller than the rest of the tray and lighter green in tone. Direct sowing Sunfinity® is possible however we strongly caution doing this as there can be danger from rodents and other small animals eating the seeds.
Finishing
Temperature
Day: 70–75 °F (21–24 °C)
Night: 65–68 °F (18–20 °C)
Average daily temperature: 68–75 °F (20–24 °C)
Lighting
Day extension lighting: If Sunfinity® plugs were propagated under long days (>14 hours) for 4 weeks, then finish photoperiod is not critical. If plugs were not propagated under long days then >14 hours or 4-hour night interruption is highly recommended to speed flowering.
Light intensity: 700–900 µmol·m−2·s−1
Day length response: Facultative long day
Daily light integral (DLI): 12–20 mol·m−2·d−1
Media pH: 5.5–6.0
Media EC: SME EC: 1.2–1.75 mS/cm; PourThru: 2.3–3.2 dS/cm
Fertilizer: 150–200 ppm N
Pinching: Required to improve branching and control vigor. After 5–6 nodes develop on the stem, pinch shoot tips leaving 4 nodes. The nodes of Sunfinity® are opposite so a pinch to 4 nodes would leave 8 leaves. Do not pinch too early to avoid issues with uneven branching. This is a hard pinch — similar to how poinsettias are traditionally pinched.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs): Sunfinity® has critical points in it's development where PGR application timing optimizes control which varies with the production season. Refer to the PGR guide on the following pages for more specific recommendations.
Tech tip: Crop time is 2–4 weeks longer if starting with plugs propagated under short days versus long days. For earliest flowering, provide long days, high light levels, and warm temperature. Preventive fungicide applications for Powdery mildew are recommended, especially in high humidity environments. Palladium® and Heritage® fungicides have all been effective at suppressing pathogens. Plants grown outside can attract chewing insects. Preventive insecticides, such as Mainspring® GNL and Flagship® 25WG are effective. Avid® 0.15 EC insecticide is also recommended for spider mite control when grown in warm, dry conditions. Avid® 0.15 EC also has the added benefit of caterpillar and whitefly control.
Moisture level: Media should be allowed to dry between irrigations. Alternate between moisture level 3 and 4. 3 - MOIST: Soil is brown in color, strongly squeezing the soil will extract a few drops of water, and trays are light with no visible bend. 4 - WET: Soil is dark brown but not shiny, no free water is seen at the surface of the soil, when pressed or squeezed water drips easily, and trays are heavy with a visible bend in the middle.
Common pests: Aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, caterpillars
Common diseases: Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Powdery mildew
Scheduling
| Size | Crop Time | Plants Per Pot |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 to 3.0 quart (6 to 8 inch, trade gallon) | 7–8 weeks | 1 ppp |
| 1.5 to 2.5 gallon (10 to 12 inch) | 7–8 weeks | 1–2 ppp |
| 3.0 gallon and larger (14 inch and larger) | 7–8 weeks | 2–3 ppp |
Estimated finish crop time is from transplant of a 72-cell tray, propagated under longs days, and finished at an average daily temperature (ADT) of 68 °F (20 °C). Crop time is one week faster at an ADT of 73 °F (23 °C) versus 68 °F (20 °C).
Example crop schedule for a 2.5 quart
| Weeks From Transplant | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 week | Provide ADT of 68 °F (20 °C) and DLI levels above 15 mol·m−2·d−1 |
| 2 weeks | Pinch to 4 nodes to promote branching and control vigor |
| 3 weeks | Evaluate crop for timing of first PGR application. Review PGR Guide on the following pages for specific recommendations for all treatments |
| 6 weeks | Apply preventive systemic fungicide and insecticides for maximum garden performance |
| 8 weeks | Finish |
Frequently asked questions
You can buy Syngenta Flowers' products through authorized distributors and brokers. Visit the Distributors section of our website to find a supplier near you.
No, Syngenta Flowers does not sell directly to consumers or growers. Our products are available through authorized distributors and brokers. Please refer to our Where to Buy page for more information.
You can stay informed by visiting the News section on our website, which features updates on new products, partnerships, and industry recognitions. You can also, sign up for our e-mail newsletters for the latest insights on new varieties, tech tips, and more!
Yes, we offer a Technical Document Library with culture guides, sell sheets, white papers, technical articles, and videos to support growers. We have a Grower Success Guide that serves as a fast and easy reference tool for all Annuals and perennials. And if you still need help, contact your broker rep directly, and they will resolve or direct you to the correct contact.
Grower Success Guide
Look for our flowers in garden centers across the country. Many of our seeds are available to consumers from seed packet companies online.
Growers, retailers, agencies, and brokers - can access images through the Trinity Image Library. The library link is conveniently located in the footer of every page.
Yes, during transport, plants experience a lot of stress and when plants are stressed they can release ethylene. Higher temperatures, enclosed spaces, and damage to the plants increase the ethylene concentrations in the shipping environment.
Resources
Protect your Ethylene-Sensitive Crops
All our product catalogs are available digitally on our website's catalog page. While we maintain limited printed versions, we primarily offer digital catalogs to support environmental sustainability.
For the most current product information, we recommend checking our website directly as product details may change more frequently than catalog updates.
You can find our videos across multiple platforms:
- YouTube: Subscribe to our Syngenta Flowers channel for growing tips, product showcases, and educational content
- Instagram: Follow us for quick video updates and stories
- LinkedIn: Connect with us for professional insights and industry news
- Document Library: Access our technical videos and product demonstrations
For the most comprehensive video collection, visit our YouTube channel.