Fiesta Del Sol, Tithonia Seed

Fiesta Del Sol Mexican Sunflower Seed

Dwarf plants produce astonishing numbers of orange blooms
Award-winning two-to-three-inch flowers replace themselves continuously
Dark green foliage frames the blazing color
Drought-tolerant plants thrive in lean sunny beds

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Tithonia rotundifolia

Days to maturity

80 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

20 Seeds

About Fiesta Del Sol, Mexican Sunflower Seed, Mexican Sunflower Seed

An All American Selection winner. It's unbelievable how many blooms this plant will produce. A dwarf Tithonia, Mexican Sunflower, that has thick blooms on beautiful dark green foliage. Blooms vibrant orange, 2-3" flowers that continuously replace themselves as they fade off. Does well in heat, humidity and drought.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

5–14 days

In-row plant spacing

24-36"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

30 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

2,188

Color

Orange

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Prepare for Mexican Sunflower by selecting a full-sun site with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Remove perennial weeds, loosen compacted ground, and incorporate modest compost without making the bed overly rich. Prepare a fine, firm seedbed. No seed pretreatment is normally required; use fresh seed and follow the sowing conditions in the Planting guidance.

Planting

Start Mexican sunflower indoors 4–10 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow after frost where the season is long. Keep the medium warm and evenly moist until emergence, then provide strong light and airflow. Harden seedlings gradually before transplanting into warm soil. Space Mexican sunflowers 2–3 feet apart.

Watering

Water Mexican sunflower regularly until established, then irrigate deeply only when the soil becomes dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering and saturated conditions, which encourage weak growth or root disease.

Fertilizer

If Mexican sunflower loses vigor in reasonably fertile soil, supply a small dose of balanced or bloom fertilizer. Too much nitrogen can delay or reduce flowering.

Harvesting

Cut Mexican sunflower flowers when blooms are well colored and at the opening stage best suited to display. Harvest during the cool morning with clean shears, leaving healthy foliage for continued flowering.

Tips

Stake tall Mexican sunflower plants before stems lean, using loose ties that allow growth. Pinch branching types when young, deadhead regularly, and leave selected seed heads for wildlife if desired.

Pests & Diseases

Mexican sunflower may develop powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots, or stem rot. Space these vigorous plants generously and remove infected lower leaves before the canopy closes. Plants with soft, dark stem bases should be discarded. Collect seed only from clean, fully dried flower heads.

Common insect and slug problems on Mexican sunflower include aphids, thrips, mites, Japanese beetles, slugs, and caterpillars. Avoid treating on a schedule; confirm the pest, gauge the damage, and use the least disruptive effective control.