Anthony Rau of Khiza Farm in Knysna’s Rheenendal says cut-flower farming is a high-intensity production and turnover earned per hectare is high. “Currently macadamia nut and sunflower farming can deliver similar values. Sunflowers are the biggest crop at Khiza, which I farm with my fiancé, Herman Bosman, and is 3ha in size, with 1,5ha under production.”
Rau tells Farmer’s Weekly that Khiza is both a bunch maker (buying stems from other growers too) and a cut-flower farm. It found early success at Sedgefield’s Wild Oats Market, where they are well-known for their sunflower bouquets.
PLANTING
“From planting seeds to harvesting sunflowers takes between 60 and 90 days. We buy seed from specialists and as seeds are loved by birds, we plant them in tunnels to germinate. It takes about four days for them to germinate and about a week until they grow to 8cm to 10cm tall. Then we plant them in rows, 15cm to 30cm from each other, depending on variety. After two to three weeks, it feels like every time you’ve turned your back they have grown 10cm to 15cm a day. Harvesting in summer has to be before
