ProCut® Red/Lemon Bicolor

ProCut® Red/Lemon Bicolor sunflowers thrive when started from seed directly sown into the garden after your last frost date has passed. Since these plants reach impressive heights of up to ten feet, waiting until soil has warmed and frost danger has completely passed ensures stronger, faster establishment. You can also start seeds indoors four to six weeks before your last frost, sowing them in individual pots to minimize root disturbance at transplant time. Either method works well for this variety, though direct sowing often produces sturdier plants with less transplant shock.

Space plants twelve to eighteen inches apart in rich, well-draining soil amended with compost or aged manure. Sow seeds one inch deep, pressing soil firmly over the seeds to ensure good contact. ProCut® Red/Lemon Bicolor performs best in full sun—aim for at least eight hours daily—as this encourages the vibrant bicolor blooms and sturdy stem development necessary for cut flower production.

Water regularly, providing roughly one inch per week through consistent moisture rather than occasional heavy watering. These sunflowers need steady hydration, especially during the critical growth phase from emergence through flowering. Reduce watering slightly once plants are established and approaching bloom time, as overly wet soil can encourage stem rot. Feed every two to three weeks with a balanced fertilizer once plants are one foot tall, then switch to a lower-nitrogen formula once flower buds appear to promote blooming rather than excessive foliage.

The pollenless characteristic of this cultivar means you'll enjoy cut flowers without pollen mess, but watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions—improve air circulation between plants and avoid overhead watering if possible. Spider mites occasionally trouble sunflowers in hot, dry weather, so inspect leaf undersides regularly. This particular variety's strong stems make it less susceptible to disease than weaker-stemmed types, but remove any yellowing lower leaves promptly to prevent fungal issues.

For maximum cut flower production, pinch out the central growing tip when plants reach two feet tall. This technique—often overlooked by gardeners—encourages the development of multiple lateral flower stems rather than a single massive bloom. The resulting bouquet of slightly smaller flowers lasts longer in the vase and provides superior commercial-quality cuts. Succession plant seeds every two weeks through midsummer for continuous harvests rather than one concentrated bloom period.

Stake or trellis taller plants in windy locations to prevent stem breakage, particularly important given the size and weight of these flowers. Harvest blooms in early morning once the back of the flower shows solid color, cutting stems at least eighteen inches long for arranging. With proper care, you'll enjoy fifty days from sowing to first harvest and weeks of beautiful, long-lasting bicolor flowers.