Sunflowers

[KTurner]

This is our first year trying the mammoth sunflowers. We have about 125 plants. With the other sunflower varieties, I looked at the back of the flower to tell when to harvest. These flowers are ten feet or so off the ground with the back of the flower facing the sky, so I can't do that unless I go down the rows with a ladder to check them. Anybody have any other ways to tell if they're ready to harvest?

I've been looking for ideas on what to do with a bunch of 10' or so long sunflower stalks. The most likely idea I've seen so far is kindling. Not sure how it'll burn, but I'm going to find out. What are some other practical uses for sunflower stalks?

Keith

 

[dave1949]

I planted some of those last year, they do live up to their name. They have a large root ball to deal with, besides the tough stalks--which I never found a good use for.

Not sure about telling when they are ripe/ready to harvest. I planted mine for bird feed and the blue jays worked on them tirelessly until every head they could hang on was picked clean. They cache the seeds in tree bark, cavities, etc.

If the meat of the seed is full, and the head is beginning to dry out to the point where you can easily rub off all the remnants of the flower bud on the seeds, you may be able to cut them and let them finish drying in a sunny place where the birds and bugs can't get to them.

 

[randy41]

the back turns yellow.

 

[oosik]

I had a few -10-12 plants - many years ago. They got about 5-7 feet high and the chipmunks loved them. I even tried roasting the seeds but must have been the wrong type. Anyhow, I got rid of the stalks by running them thru a shredder. It was tough work because the stalks were so stringy. Had to take the bottom sizing grate off the shredder to complete the job.

 

[nybirdman]

I have four plots of sunflowers ,maybe an acre total.Love the look and they are great feed for the wildlife.
I leave until spring and then bush-hog down.I broad cast this year and they are a little close together;we purchased a two row planter and will try that next spring.

 

[KTurner]

the back turns yellow.

That's what I've looked for in the past with smaller sunflowers. But with these, the backs of the flowers are facing the sky and 10 or so feet off the ground.

I plan to dry them in a screened porch, not on the stalk (due to birds/animals). We'll eat the seeds (dehulled and raw) and put whole flowers out for the birds during winter. Might try roasting some for myself, but the rest of the family prefers raw.

Keith

 

[bcp]

That's what I've looked for in the past with smaller sunflowers. But with these, the backs of the flowers are facing the sky and 10 or so feet off the ground.

Night. Flashlight. Binoculars.

Bruce

 

[dave1949]

As I recall, everything about mammoth sunflowers is heavy, including all the plant material in the heads. The seeds stayed tight packed in mine for a long time which I think delays the natural drying-out. A screened porch with plenty of airflow and light sounds like a good plan.

 

[randy41]

That's what I've looked for in the past with smaller sunflowers. But with these, the backs of the flowers are facing the sky and 10 or so feet off the ground.

I plan to dry them in a screened porch, not on the stalk (due to birds/animals). We'll eat the seeds (dehulled and raw) and put whole flowers out for the birds during winter. Might try roasting some for myself, but the rest of the family prefers raw.

Keith

i grew giant ones last year and when they started to be ready they bent over from all the weight. but if you live in a humid location you have to watch for mold growth.

 

[KTurner]

Followup time... I started to check the flowers by carrying a ladder out there, but that got old quick. It dawned on me that though they were very tall, they got shorter when the flowers drooped over and I could just grab the stalk and pull it over far enough to inspect the flower/seeds. There were a few casualties of this approach (thin stalk snapped), but it meant no more ladder.

A few pics attached. The pic showing the plants was taken mid-july. The chain link is about 4' tall (yea, that's short for a garden fence but the animals around here seem lazy - its high enough). I've been stringing up the flowers on the back porch with fishing line. Pulled seeds off the first flower head today and ended up with about half a jar of decent looking seeds. 1 down, didnt count how many left to go...

I've read online that sunflower seeds propelled into a hard surface with the right amount of force will split open. I'm going to do some experimenting with compressed air to see if I can automate shelling these. If all else fails, the birds around my house are going to be happy this winter.

I'm still trying to figure out a use for the stalks.

Keith