Sunflowers

[Brian Ouimet]

What is the best way to save sun flower seeds for the next year. Thanks.

 

[Meadowlark]

Best way? I can describe my way....but not claiming its the best way, but it works for me. I let the heads mature fully on the plant. Then cut them off and store in a dry location not touching other heads. When winter gets going good, I take the whole head out and nail it to something like a fence and watch the entertainment.

Sometimes it really gets going, especially with the Cardinals. As many as 8 to 10 redbirds getting after one head. When they finish, I replace with another. I keep one or two back for seeds for spring....but most go to the birds.

 

[Arden Sage]

I let the heads mature fully on the plant. Then cut them off and store in a dry location ...

Yes, that is what I do too, but I put the head in a paper bag and hang it upside down.
Good luck with your sunflower seed gathering @Brian Ouimet

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Seed saving: Sunflower seeds

 

[Brian Ouimet]

Hi I am new to all of this. When I went to look today this is what I see. There are tiny yellow things I can pull out. Are the seeds behide this. Not to sure what i am looking for. I am in zone 5. The dark sunflowers look ready but not sure

 

[roadrunner]

No, they're not ready. You don't want to pull those things off while the plant is still yellow, that's what the pollinators pollinate. As the seeds form, the flower will lose its yellow center and the entire flower head will get so heavy that the flower will droop. I usually wait for the very back of the flower (the green part) to start turning black and then I cut the flower head from the plant.

 

[Brian Ouimet]

Thanks I will follow this advice. Here is what I see on looking at the flowers today. Thanks a bunch will keep an eye on the back of them. Brian

 

[Tess]

I love sunflowers! Good to know how to save the seeds! I took this pic of my neighbors sunflowers peeking over the fence!

 

[Rascal]

I recently got into them , as you can see they are the small varieties .
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