Comments on: Autumn Harvest: Saving Sunflower Seeds

By: Lancerwrx40

Lancerwrx40 — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:30:00 +0000

My sunflower, I like your eyes too.

By: Lancerwrx40

Lancerwrx40 — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:28:00 +0000

thank for your information

By: Lancerwrx40

Lancerwrx40 — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:28:00 +0000

thank for your information

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:21:03 +0000

Thanks so much, Sayward! Yes, they were quite impressive, so glad I took pics while they were still upright. I’ve had all the tallest ones since snap off at the stalks in a wild Hoosier wind, so I’ve got my work cut out. Happy Autumn, All!

By: Sayward

Sayward — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:52:04 +0000

@ Michelle Mindak – 12′, WOW those must be stunning. To save the seeds all you need to do is remove them from the flower head (can be kind of a pain in the butt actually) and then let them dry out completely. Sun dried is best, but any warm spot will do. Lay them out in a single layer so they dry evenly.

Once they’re all dry just store them in a packet or jar till next spring! (or shell them and EAT THEM, haha) It’s really that easy. Luck!

By: Michelle Mindak

Michelle Mindak — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:32:52 +0000

Your sunflowers and seed saving tips are very helpful, thank you. I live in NW Indiana, and have (finally) managed to grow a number of 12′+ Russian Mammoth Sunflowers. Recent extreme winds have taken down my two biggest ones, snapping their stems despite my staking efforts. The backs of the flowers have not yet turned yellow, much less brown, but there are lots of seeds formed and the yellow petals are falling off. Is there a way I can still save the seeds for drying, eating and replanting purposes? Your response will be greatly appreciated. I hate to let these beauties go to waste.
Thank you so much,
Michelle

By: VITA

VITA — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:47:10 +0000

Wow, it totally reminded me when I was a little girl back home in Ukraine. I really miss those times. I am gald I grew up in a village, so it’s so much easier to adjust to natural and green things these days. It brings good memories back and some great ideas too.
Love your blog.

By: Autumn Update: Gearing the Garden Down | Bonzai Aphrodite

Autumn Update: Gearing the Garden Down | Bonzai Aphrodite — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:27:24 +0000

[...] in, to serve as flower planters come spring. The left side bed has been cleared and mulched. The sunflowers are downed and the brush has been tidied. The right side bed hosts the small fall garden. All the [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:16:11 +0000

My goodness…that is massive and absolutely beautiful! Sunflowers look so happy (and/or they make me happy) and I will definitely grow them someday!

By: Sayward

Sayward — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:12:43 +0000

@ Hils – I think with enough light and the right atmosphere, you could grow anything indoors. The only thing I would worry about is the roots. This guy was about 8 feet tall all said and done, and on such a skinny stem (relative to the height – it was actually super thick for a ‘flower stem’!), the root system has to go pretty far down and pretty far out. So you’d need to get it in a very deep and rather wide pot. But other than that, I’d say it’s definitely worth a try! Let me know if you do it, please! =D

I’ve heard of one trick to shell the seeds but haven’t tried it myself. Basically, you wrap the seeds in a towel and then use a mallet or something to pond them – softly. Not crush them into sunflower seed butter, but definitely enough to crack up the husks. Then you put the seeds into a large lidded jar covered with plenty of water, and shake shake shake. The inner seeds should fall to the bottom while the husks should float to the top. You my have to shake and scoop out the husks a few times.

Sounds plausible!

@ Selah – Hello! And welcome to the site!

The strain of sunflower is called ‘Mammoth Grey Stripe’.I think it may be a local heirloom here in Portland Oregon, but I’m not sure of that.