Wyoming Brown and Gold Fresh Cut Sunflowers

In Wyoming, the number of farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) outlets, and food co-ops have undergone a dramatic increase and are rapidly becoming important avenues for commerce surrounding locally-produced horticultural goods.  As the interest in local horticulture becomes prevalent in Wyoming culture, so does the increased necessity for region-specific growers’ information.  A 16-month study was conducted to provide the current and emerging horticulture industry with a quick and easy-to-grow niche cut flower crop that displays a brown and gold inflorescence, the well-known colors of the University of Wyoming (UW).  Three cultivars of single-stem sunflowers were evaluated at the UW Laramie Research and Extension Center.  Year-round production was conducted in a greenhouse facility and seasonal growth trials were undergone in two high tunnel structures.  The trials concluded that production can be achieved in both environments, but, with marked differences in stem length and time from sowing to harvest depending on the cultivar and time of year.  Despite sunflowers being traditionally categorized as short-day crops, the three cultivars, ‘Dafna,’ ‘ProCut Bicolor,’ and ‘Sunbright Supreme,’ displayed diverse responses to photoperiod.  Days from sowing to harvest ranged from 41 days for ‘Sunbright,’ to 112 days for ‘ProCut Bicolor.’  Stem length varied from 17 cm for ‘Dafna’ to 185 cm for ‘ProCut Bicolor.’   Significant differences were demonstrated in regards to days from sowing to harvest between high tunnel and greenhouse production.  Sunflowers in the greenhouse bloomed an average of 3 days faster than those in the high tunnels.  Stem lengths, however, were not significantly different between locations.  Although no economic analyses have been conducted to assess the business or market potential of cut sunflowers, information about year-round and seasonal cut sunflower production is the first step for growers to influence business decisions when considering adding cut sunflowers to a new or existing production outlet.