I must admit that I've never heard of a sunflower variety that takes 120 days. Mine mature in less than 90.

You ought to be able to plant the seeds outside, after frost, and enjoy their bloom by August...and harvest the seeds in September.

Sunflowers are rapid growers, and would very soon outgrow the peat pots.

Is there anyone out there who can shed light on this 4 month sunflower??

I grow a few acres of a variety of sunflowers every year and have never heard of any that take 120 days. Even the Mammoth only take a few months, most take less than that. I'm in 7a, near Washington DC so my season is a tiny bit longer but I direct sow my sunflowers starting in early May and continue every two weeks through the beginning of Sept. I usually have flowers through mid-Nov. The foliage can look kind of ratty when it gets cool out but the blooms are fine. I've never started sunflowers inside, nor have I ever transplanted them. I have grown Teddy Bear, Joker and a few others in containers but think that the vast majority do better inground.
Karyn

The sunflower is called Lyng's California Greystripe. And I am thinking it is more suited to a warmer climate. I guess I didnt read the info closely enough.
Link below is to Johnny's Seeds item.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lyng's California Greystripe

hi regaldozer,

I have had luck starting sunflowers indoors, but the recommendation is no longer than 3-4 weeks before you transplant out. I direct seeded into a fairly large cell size, let them grow on for that 3-4 weeks and transplanted into garden. They worked wonderful for me...did a lot better than my direct seeding efforts later. If it was me...that is about the earliest i would start those 'babies', 3-4 weeks before you wish to plant them out.

Good luck
m

For the heck of it, I started some mammoth SF seeds on Mar 1. Should have waited till about the end of March but I want to see if I can use my porch, a grow light, and a bunch of messing around to get a jump on the season. I asked for an early last frost too, so I am planning on digging outside by May 1st here in zone 4.

Anyhow, they are already about 3" high under some spiral bulbs I am experimenting with. Soon they will get an aquariam setup to stretch out in.

regaldozer, I'd be sorely tempted to purchase another variety of seeds. Sunflowers are a much loved annual and you will be able to find packets on the racks locally.

I have many varieties of sunflowers (as I am on a sunflower kick this year) if you would like to try some faster maturing varieties :)
I just started 10 kinds a few days ago and I can't wait til they sprout!
~Jessi

regaldozer, lol i was thinking about your post when i found some ring of fire sunflowers online (@ seedrack.com), only b/c the time was 120 days. So he's not mad! They're very pretty... anyhow good luck!

Hey Jessi
I tried sending you email from the site but I guess you didnt get it.
Email me regaldozer@hotmail.com
I would like to talk trade.....

also - 7 Dogs!?! I thought I was crazy with 4

{{gwi:225603}}

the pitbull - he wins....

{{gwi:225605}}

Sent you an email regaldozer :)
~Jessi