F1 Vincent’s 2 Fresh

Crop Name	Ornamental Sunflower
Hybrid Name	Vincent’s 2 Fresh
Segment	Cut flower
Plant Habit	Tall and strong stem
Maturity Period	50–55 DAS
Characteristics	• Plant with strong stem produces upward-facing flowers • Yellow flower petals with green center • Flowers are very attractive and beautiful • Suitable for bouquets, vases, and event decoration • Very good market acceptance • Suitable for long transport
Average Yield	1 flower per stem (11 flowers/m²)
Climate & Season	25°C–30°C; can grow throughout the year
Sowing Window	All season except snowfall in North India
Focused Market	PAN India

Parameter

Description

Scientific Name

Helianthus annuus

Hybrid

Vincent’s 2 Fresh

Soil

Sandy loamy to deep clay with good drainage; pH 6.5–7.5

Climate

Optimal temperature: 25–35°C

Season

Throughout the year except snowfall in North India

Spacing

20 × 20 cm / 30 × 30 cm, sow seeds at 0.5–1 inch depth

Seed Rate

3.5–4 kg/acre (approx. 50,000 seeds/acre)

Fertilizers & Manures

FYM @ 10,000 kg/acre + Vermicompost @ 1,000 kg/acre (mix with soil 2 weeks before sowing) 19:19:19 NPK – 4 g/plant weekly during growth stage

Irrigation

Once per week depending on soil moisture

Weeding

Timely weeding is important for raising a good sunflower crop

Diseases

Name of Disease	Symptoms & Management
Alternaria Blight (Alternaria helianthi)	Dark brown to black circular/oval spots with concentric rings; spots first appear on lower leaves and spread to entire plant. Control: Foliar spray with 0.3% Mancozeb at 10-day intervals (4 sprays).
Rust (Puccinia helianthi)	Uredo pustules appear on lower leaves and spread to stems, petioles, floral bracts, and petals; can cause up to 40% yield loss. Control: Spray Mancozeb @ 1000 g/ha.
Downy Mildew (Plasmopara halstedii)	Severely stunted plants with chlorotic, curled leaves; fungal growth on lower leaf surface; angular lesions. Control: Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP (2g/L), Fenamidone 10% + Mancozeb 50% (w/w)

Pests

Pest	Symptoms & Management
Capitulum Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)	Larvae feed on leaves early, then bore into the head (capitulum). Control: Plant 3–4 border rows of maize/jowar; use marigold as trap crop (50 plants/acre).
Leaf Hopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula)	Adults & nymphs suck sap; leaves turn pale yellow and curl inward. Control: Spray Imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 100 ml/ha.
Bihar Hairy Caterpillar (Spilosoma obliqua)	Larvae feed gregariously on underside of leaves; severe defoliation may occur. Control: Summer ploughing, use well-rotted manure, collect & destroy larvae; spray Phosalone 35 EC @ 1000 ml/ha.
Tobacco Caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)	Feeds on tender leaves, shoots, bracts, petals; causes major defoliation. Control: Hand pick larvae; spray Dichlorvos 76 EC (500 ml/ha) or Phosalone 35 EC (1000 ml/ha).

Maturity

Flowers ready for harvest in 50–55 days (1/4th flower open stage)

Yield

1 flower/stem (11 flowers/m²)

No description