Sunflowers-seed collection question.

[renovationmom]

Last year, I grew these sunflowers from purchased seeds. I wanted to collect the seeds, so I could replant this year(and have even more seed), and have seeds to share with friends. Well, the birds got them before I did. I repurchased and replanted seeds this year, what can I do to save my seeds?

 

[lesa]

How about vfem's idea of a bag. An onion bag, or some kind of netting? I seem to remember a paper bag-but I might be imagining that! Get them covered, at any rate... Very pretty sunflower!

 

[journey11]

Oh, those are some of my favorites...strawberry moon, ruby moon? I can't remember what they're called.

Once the petals start to dry and fall off and while the seeds are still fresh, you can also cut the heads, leaving a 2" stem and hang them from the ceiling of a cool, dry place. Be sure to hang them so the mice won't get them either.

 

[renovationmom]

How about vfem's idea of a bag. An onion bag, or some kind of netting? I seem to remember a paper bag-but I might be imagining that! Get them covered, at any rate... Very pretty sunflower!

Thank you, lesa. I will try this.

I was not sure if you could cut the flowers before they dried, and if you could, when to cut them, but I will try cutting some too, I can hang them from the garden tool shed ceiling. Thank you journey11 for this idea.

Here is a link to the web site where I purchased my mix from.

www.wildseedfarms.com