{"product_id":"helianthus-annuus-sonja-sunflower","title":"Helianthus annuus Sonja®  | Sunflower","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eHelianthus annuus Sonja® | Sunflower\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA professional cut flower sunflower with warm golden-orange blooms, strong stems and excellent branching – Sonja® is a beautiful and productive choice for bouquets, flower farms and cutting gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelianthus annuus Sonja®\u003c\/strong\u003e is an outstanding cut flower variety valued for its \u003cstrong\u003ewarm golden-orange flowers, well-branched growth and excellent vase life\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers are smaller and more refined than those of many traditional garden sunflowers, reaching approximately \u003cstrong\u003e10 cm in diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e. Their manageable size makes Sonja® particularly useful for bouquets and floral arrangements, where oversized sunflower heads can sometimes be difficult to combine with other flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants grow to approximately \u003cstrong\u003e110 cm tall\u003c\/strong\u003e and develop multiple flowering stems, providing several harvestable flowers from each plant. The strong, upright stems and attractive flower proportions make Sonja® an excellent choice for both professional cut flower production and home cutting gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSonja® is an \u003cstrong\u003eopen-pollinated annual variety\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Sonja®?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful golden-orange flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent professional cut flower variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell-branched growth habit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduces multiple flowering stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact flower size ideal for bouquets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowers approximately 10 cm across\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong stems for cutting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent vase life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for succession sowing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy and fast to grow from seed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHelianthus annuus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunflower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sonja®\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden orange\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 10 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 110 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, well branched\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. \u003cstrong\u003e70–85 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raw seed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHybrid status:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open pollinated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut flowers, bouquets, flower beds and cutting gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSowing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDirect Sowing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDirect sowing is recommended.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow outdoors after the last spring frost once the soil has warmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1–1.5 cm deep\u003c\/strong\u003e in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder suitable conditions, germination generally takes approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5–14 days\u003c\/strong\u003e at \u003cstrong\u003e18–24°C\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous supply of flowers throughout summer, make succession sowings every \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSowing for Transplanting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an earlier harvest, seeds can be started indoors approximately \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 weeks before planting outdoors\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow one seed per cell or small pot. Transplant after approximately two true leaves have developed and the danger of frost has passed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSunflowers dislike root disturbance, so avoid allowing seedlings to become root-bound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSonja® performs best in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e and fertile, well-drained soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly, particularly while plants are establishing and during prolonged dry periods. Avoid allowing plants to dry out excessively during active growth and flower development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which can encourage overly vigorous foliage growth and reduce flower quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Sonja® develops a naturally \u003cstrong\u003ewell-branched plant\u003c\/strong\u003e, provide sufficient space for the lateral flowering stems to develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePinching\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor cut flower production, young plants can be \u003cstrong\u003epinched to encourage additional branching and longer usable side stems\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis can be particularly useful when the goal is to produce multiple bouquet-sized flowers from each plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvesting for Cut Flowers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSonja® was selected specifically for its excellent qualities as a \u003cstrong\u003ecut sunflower\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest when the petals are beginning to open and the golden-orange colour is clearly visible. Cutting at this stage provides an attractive flower while allowing further opening in the vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut stems preferably \u003cstrong\u003eearly in the morning or during the cooler part of the day\u003c\/strong\u003e and place them immediately into clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Sonja®'s key advantages is its \u003cstrong\u003egood vase life\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it particularly suitable for professional flower growers, florists and market bouquets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuccession Sowing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSonja® reaches maturity in approximately \u003cstrong\u003e70–85 days\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on growing conditions and season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous harvest, sow new batches every \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e during spring and early summer. This provides a steady supply of fresh stems rather than one large flush of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessional cut flower production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlower farms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutting gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlorist work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarket bouquets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSummer bouquets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLate-summer arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlower beds and borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePollinator-friendly gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHelianthus annuus Sonja®\u003c\/strong\u003e is an excellent choice for growers looking for a sunflower designed with floristry in mind. Its \u003cstrong\u003ewarm golden-orange colour, approximately 10 cm flowers, productive branching habit, strong stems and excellent vase life\u003c\/strong\u003e make it a reliable and versatile variety for beautiful summer bouquets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"therapyofflowers.com","offers":[{"title":"20 seeds \/ 110 cm","offer_id":54384107880791,"sku":null,"price":2.2,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 seeds \/ 110 cm","offer_id":54384107913559,"sku":null,"price":8.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/9275\/3751\/files\/Helianthus_annuus_Sonja_Sunflower.png?v=1787149981","url":"https:\/\/www.therapyofflowers.com\/products\/helianthus-annuus-sonja-sunflower","provider":"therapyofflowers.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}