Goldfinger (Tithonia)
Latin Name: T. rotundifolia
Item #: 5070801
Difficulty:
Easy
Attracts Butterflies:
Yes
TITHONIA (Mexican Sunflower)
Annual (24-30 in/60-76 cm) Approx. 3,000 seeds per oz/28 g
GREENHOUSE: Plants take about 4 months to produce florist cut flowers from seed. Sow indoors directly into 3 in/8 cm peat pots, Apr. 1st - Apr. 15th @ 3 seeds per pot. Germinate @ 70°F/21°C soil temp., plant seed 0.25in/6 mm deep cover seed with fine soil and firm. Seed should germinate in about 10 days. Grow plants @ 60-65°F/16-18°C to prevent soft leggy growth. Transplant pots outdoors about the end of May when outdoor temps. remain above 50°F/10°C. Space plants 2 ft/61 cm apart in rows 2.5 ft/76 cm apart for cutting purposes or as tall backgrounds or hedges. Tithonia will survive in hot dry areas, even in desert gardens. Harvest cut flowers in the bud stage, sear hollow stems carefully in 100°F/38°C., hot water for long lasting 3 in/8 cm single dahlia-like orange blooms.
NOTE: Direct sowing is not recommended. Plants take too long to provide cut flowers from a June outdoor seeding, when soil is warm enough for germination.
