It takes 4-6 days for the seeds to germinate and 90-110 days for the crop to mature.
Management
- Sunflowers grow best in locations that get 6-8 hours of sunlight directly
- Plant seeds in lines at spacing of 75cmx60cmx2cm. There should be three seeds at most per hole
- First weeding is done when the seedlings are 2-3 weeks old
- Second weeding is done when the plants are one-and-a-half months old
- Apply pesticide when the seedlings are two weeks old
Harvest
Usually, the sunflower heads are deep yellow, from yellowish-green and the leaves are weathered. The stalk also assumes a yellow colour.
When the sunflower heads are ferried home, the farmer should place them on the tarpaulin and spread out in the sun to dry.
It takes two-five days for the sunflower heads to dry, after which a farmer is advised to use a small stick to lightly hit them for the seeds to drop out, before it is packed in sacks.
The exercise should be done on tarpaulin and not on bare ground. However, a farmer is advised to pile the sacks on top of timber racks, lest the seeds get moist and ferment. The seeds are then sold to a mill, where they are processed into vegetable oil.
- Harvesting is done when the flower heads are deep yellow, leaves are weathered and the stalk yellow
- Flower heads are harvested using a sickle or knife
- Put harvested heads on a clean tarpaulin and spread in the sun to dry for 2-5 days
- Lightly hit the flower heads to release the seeds
- Seeds are packed in sacks, which should be stacked on top of timber
- Seeds are then milled to make vegetable oil
Germination
It takes between four to six days for the seeds to germinate. The first weeding is done when the seedlings are between two to three weeks old.
Weeding is done using a miracle ploughing device (special weeding equipment fixed on oxen plough).
When the seedling are two weeks old, a farmer is advised to apply Rocket pesticide.
The second pesticide spray is after six weeks.
Weeding should be done when the plants are one-and-a-half months old.
It takes 90-110 days for sunflower to mature.
