What do I do with my Sunflower?

Aub 9/20/2010, 10:17 pm

My one and only sunflower came up and was beautiful! Now it is all droopy and sad looking. The petals are gone and the little buds are falling off.
I would like to keep some seeds for a Sunflower Forest. (The kids will love it!) And I would like the rest of them for snacking on.
How do I accomplish these two things?

ander217 9/21/2010, 11:59 am

I leave mine in the garden until the seeds are completely dry, (crack open a couple to check the moisture content) but if birds start pecking them before they get completely dry sometimes I cut the heads leaving a good amount of stem, and finish drying them upside down in a dry area with plenty of air circulation, such as the top of my garage. If the seeds start dropping you can cover the heads with a mesh bag, but mine usually hold just fine until I'm ready to put them out for the birds or rub off a few seeds to eat now and then.

Once the heads are completely dry you can rub off the seeds to store for replanting or you can soak them in salt water and roast if you don't like them raw.

Aub 9/21/2010, 12:02 pm

I went ahead and cut my sunflower head off, something was getting it. I put it on my back porch to dry. Hopefully the kiddos will leave it alone!

miinva 9/21/2010, 9:39 pm

I tie mine tot he fence after they're dried up so the birds have them Smile

Chopper 9/21/2010, 10:52 pm

Per a neighbor's suggestion, I covered the heads with cheesecloth (the suggestion was a burlap bag). Then when the stems were browning I cut them off and hung them to dry. They are pretty dry now and I hope to harvest the seeds asap.

I was told that one boils the seeds in heavily salted water and after draining, dries them in a warm oven. When mine are done, I will let you know how it worked.

LaFee 9/22/2010, 12:39 am

If you have more than you can use...several of the animal rescue organizations here advertise, asking for sunflower heads with which to feed rescued birds...finches, parakeets, parrots, etc., that have been given up by or taken from their owner, and the lost that have gotten loose and been found.

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