Helianthus 'Sunny'
Trial: Annual
Years Trialed: 2002
Good Qualities:
Short stiff petals, no pollen, good orange color, dark disk single stem; Tall, bright flowers - good for big arrangements; Nice clean stems; Higher production than 'Summertime' and longer stems - Seems to respond well to apical meristem clipping (pinching); Big flower, strong stem, met customer image of ASunflower@ - Pollen free, very attractive large brown disc; Good height, nice dark leaves.
Problems:
Too tall and slow to flower - Some flower heads are too large, large foliage, thick stems; Huge heads, thick stems, disks too flat for market.
Trial Data
| Yield (stems/plant) | Stem Length (inches) | Market Appreciation Rating - Wholesale (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Retail (1) | Market Appreciation Rating - Consumer (1) | Repeat Again Rating (2) | Ease of Cultivation Rating (2) | Average Spacing (in2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 1.5 | 37.6 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 93 |
| Range of Responses | 1-5 | 25-55 | 2-3 | 2-5 | 2-5 | 2-5 | 3-5 | 18-144 |
(1) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.
Supplier
Seedsense Ltd.
7, Bradfield Close
North Walsham
Norfolk NR28 oHL England
Comments:
Similar to 'Summertime' and 'Sunny Lemon'; A secondary harvest of 15 inch axillary stems (arising from a 5-inch stump) could have been made in the first week of Sept - approximately 3 stems per plant; Later than others in trial, useful for sequential harvest - A nice big flower and strong stem, harvested 8/7-8/14 (Zone 6/7).