Once our plant geneticists have finished the 5-7 years of research necessary to create a new ornamental sunflower variety, it is still 3 years before you, our valued customers, see it in catalogs and stores worldwide. First, breeder's source seeds are multiplied in bee isolation cages where we confirm the genetic purity and determine the production nuances of the new variety.

More from Dr. Tom Heaton

View all quotes →