Variety field guide
What to expect from Skyscraper Sunflower
Skyscraper lives up to its name with towering stalks and large yellow flowers above the garden.
Open the complete descriptionHide the complete descriptionVariety traits, flavor, garden use, and the complete description
Skyscraper lives up to its name with towering stalks and large yellow flowers above the garden. The broad heads become heavy with edible seeds as summer advances, making this a useful choice for roasting seed or feeding birds. Plant a row behind shorter crops, or give a few plants their own sunny corner where the roots have room to anchor. Fertile soil, regular water and shelter from strong wind help these giants reach their best.
Minimum seeds per packet: 50 seeds.
Towering yellow flowers with a generous harvest of seed.
Variety and background
Skyscraper is a tall sunflower; approximately 80 days describes flowering, not fully dry edible seed.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Helianthus annuus |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / harvest basis | About 80 days to flowers; seed matures later |
| Seed depth | 1/2-1 in |
| Germination | 7-14 days |
| Germination temperature | 70-75 F |
| Plant height / spread | 97–120 in |
| Habit | Upright/Erect |
| Plant spacing | 18-24 in |
| Row spacing | 30 in |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Pollination type | Open-Pollinated (OP) |
Starting from seed
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites.
Planting and care
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites. Skyscraper is a tall sunflower; approximately 80 days describes flowering, not fully dry edible seed.
Harvest and use
Flowers begin about 80 days from sowing; seed takes longer. Let heads mature until backs brown and seeds loosen. Cut and finish drying under cover, safe from birds. For seed, isolate other H. annuus and save from several plants.
Saving seed
Save seed from several healthy, true-to-type Skyscraper plants identified before harvest. Confirm the pollination system of Helianthus annuus, separate compatible varieties that flower together, and remove clear off-types before they shed pollen or seed. Allow fruit, pods, ears, or seed heads to reach full biological maturity, then clean and dry the seed completely. Label the lot with variety, source, year, isolation method, number of seed plants, and any selection notes; store it cool, dark, and dry and test germination before an important planting.
Common problems
Common concerns: damping-off from saturated media; poor emergence from wrong temperature or depth; leggy seedlings from weak light; crowding and weak airflow; lodging in wind or rain; feeding damage from slugs, caterpillars, beetles, or mammals; foliar disease under prolonged leaf wetness; bird or squirrel feeding on maturing heads; stem lodging on giant plants. Management: use clean media, the sowing depth and temperature, strong light, appropriate thinning, and morning irrigation at soil level. Match support to plant height before wind becomes a problem. Inspect regularly and use the least disruptive control appropriate to the pest, plant, and pollinator setting. Remove diseased debris and rotate annual flower beds where recurring disease is severe.
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes this selection?
Skyscraper is a tall sunflower; approximately 80 days describes flowering, not fully dry edible seed.
How should I start it?
Direct sow after frost, 1/2-1 in. deep. At 70-75 F allow 7-14 days. Thin to 18-24 in. apart, rows 30 in. apart. Give full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture. Protect seedlings from birds; support stems in windy sites.
When and how should I harvest?
Flowers begin about 80 days from sowing; seed takes longer. Let heads mature until backs brown and seeds loosen. Cut and finish drying under cover, safe from birds. For seed, isolate other H. annuus and save from several plants.
Can I save seed?
Save seed from several healthy, true-to-type Skyscraper plants identified before harvest. Confirm the pollination system of Helianthus annuus, separate compatible varieties that flower together, and remove clear off-types before they shed pollen or seed. Allow fruit, pods, ears, or seed heads to reach full biological maturity, then clean and dry the seed completely. Label the lot with variety, source, year, isolation method, number of seed plants, and any selection notes; store it cool, dark, and dry and test germination before an important planting.
