Author Topic: Sunflower heads (Read 3256 times)

egbert · « **on:** July 24, 2010, 07:57:48 am »

Well my giant sunflowers grew up to twice the height of my daughter and have large heads on them which are now drooping slightly. There are also some smaller heads not yet out.

Does anyone know at which point the heads are ready to be removed - how do I prepare the seeds for me to eat? i was going to save some for next year, give some to my chooks and eat some myself but I dont know when to start?

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2010, 10:55:17 am »

Wait till the petals are wilted, then leave a bit longer for the seeds to grow in size. Here you are - found this by googling the question "when are sunflower seeds ready" - http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortihints/0108c.html

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2010, 11:15:55 am »

watch out for birds, they love them

doganjo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2010, 11:40:02 am »

Mine were ok - dogs and cats keep the birds away.

egbert · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:24:07 pm »

DArn it - I think I cut the heads off to dry a bit prematurely - the seeds have not yet turned black and white. I didnt read that bit somehow

Do you think they are now unuseable!

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2010, 03:30:29 pm »

suppose you can still feed them to the birds

but I don't think they will germinate next year...

Frieslandfilly · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2010, 08:01:20 pm »

I have just harvested some of mine, wait till the back of the head browns a little and the seeds are black and hard, then cut them about a foot from the head hang upside down into a large paper bag with a few holes for air, one that had blown over was not ready so I gave it to the chickens as it was, the seeds were still soft but they loved it!