Sunflower 'Teddy Bear'

30 Seeds

🌱 Best Sowing Time

• Best period in the Gulf: October–March
• Best period in Kuwait: November–February
• For the best flowering, sow during the cooler months.
• Avoid sowing during the peak summer heat.

🌿 How to Sow

1. Fill a seed tray, small pot, or planting area with fertile, loose, well-draining soil.
2. Sow each seed about 1–2 cm deep.
3. Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
4. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
5. If sowing directly outdoors, leave enough space between plants for good air circulation.

🌡️ Germination

• Ideal temperature: 18–25°C
• Germination time: approximately 7–14 days
• Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Very high temperatures can reduce germination and weaken young seedlings.

🌱 Seedling Care

• Provide strong light immediately after emergence.
• Avoid keeping seedlings in excessive shade, as they may become weak and stretched.
• Water when the soil surface begins to dry.
• Provide good airflow to reduce fungal problems.
• Thin seedlings if several germinate too closely together.

🌿 Transplanting

• Sunflowers are best transplanted while still young to minimize root disturbance.
• Transplant when seedlings have 2–3 sets of true leaves.
• Space plants approximately 30–45 cm apart.
• Choose a location protected from strong winds, especially because flower heads can become heavy.

☀️ Sunlight

• ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflower prefers full sun.
• Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• In the Gulf, morning and early afternoon sun are ideal during cooler months.
• During unusually hot weather, light afternoon shade can help protect young plants.

💧 Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination and early growth.
• Once established, water deeply rather than giving frequent shallow watering.
• Increase watering during hot, dry periods.
• Avoid constantly wet soil, especially in containers.
• Water near the base of the plant and avoid unnecessarily wetting the foliage.

🌱 Soil

Use fertile, well-draining soil containing:

• Quality garden or potting soil
• Compost or well-rotted organic matter
• Perlite, pumice, or coarse sand if additional drainage is needed

Sunflowers perform best in soil with good fertility and drainage.

🌿 Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer after seedlings become established.
• Feed lightly during active growth.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leaves and stems rather than flowers.
• A fertilizer with adequate phosphorus and potassium can support flowering.

🌸 Flowering

• ‘Teddy Bear’ is a compact sunflower variety known for its fluffy, double, golden-yellow flowers.
• The plants are generally shorter and more compact than standard tall sunflowers.
• Regular sunlight and adequate watering are important for good flower development.
• Removing spent flowers can help maintain an attractive display.

🔥 Gulf Climate Tips

• Cool-season sowing is strongly recommended in the Gulf.
• Protect young plants from extreme heat above 35°C.
• Avoid placing containers on surfaces that become extremely hot.
• Provide temporary afternoon shade during unexpected heatwaves.
• Good drainage is especially important after heavy irrigation or humid weather.
• Protect plants from strong winds when flower heads become large.
• In Kuwait and other very hot Gulf areas, complete the main flowering cycle before the extreme summer heat arrives.

🌱 Growing Tip: Sow ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflowers during the cooler Gulf months and give them plenty of direct sunlight, moderate regular watering, and protection from extreme heat for the best compact, fluffy blooms.