What's the best way to ripen sunflower seeds ? I have some beautiful red & gold sunflowers (Sunflower - Prado Red), still flowering strongly but now that the weather is colder and wet, I don't want the seeds to rot.
Would hanging the flowerheads in my shed, near the window, help the seeds to ripen ?
I bought the seeds at Gardening Scotland on 30th May, and they were sown at the beginning of June. There were only 10 seeds in the packet, so I'd love to collect some if I can to grow these sunflowers again next summer.
These sunflowers grow to 5 feet high, and each plant has around 10 flowering stems on it. The flowers are a very dark brownish red, and most of them have gold tips on every petal. If I can save some of the seed, I may have a little available here.
Foolio, Cangrandnafixit and ladygardener2, I've replied to your messages. Please could you send me your addresses so that I can post your seeds.
Forester2 and Fishy65, thank you for your lovely messages, it was no trouble at all .
I made those little seed packets out of baking parchment, sellotape and staples. I thought it was best to package the seeds this way to keep them safe in the post.
I used to work for Royal Mail, so have seen first hand how easily envelopes can be damaged and the contents lost. Even something as small as a staple can get caught in the machines used to sort the mail, which then jams the machine an often rips the envelope. I'm always careful about posting things after having seen the damage RM's "super-efficient" sorting machines can cause. (I always sellotape over the flap on envelopes too now because the gum doesn't always hold, especially on cheaper envelopes ).
PinkandWhitePoppy, I've pm'd you my address. All those who have reqested seeds will get them and some were posted yesterday, the rest will be in the post today.
When I receive any I'll post on here and send a pm too.
Sorry only know what I have read about what would be the best way to ripen the sunflower seeds. I'm leaving mine on the plant and taking off tatty leaves to make them look a bit better. Last year some ripened at the allotment quite late in the year despite a lot of rain as the head was leaning forward slightly.
I have seen on Wiki How that if you cover the head with a brown paper bag, cut the head off leaving about 30cm of a stalk. Hang the brown bag with the sunflower head up somewhere dry where air can circulate. Periodically check the head to make sure it's not going mouldy. After about a week or so the seeds should be easily removed. If they are difficult to remove then leave the head for another while as they are not yet ripe and dried properly. Sunflower seeds will be easily removed when they are ripe and dry, if you're finding it difficult then they're not ready.
Posts
I have lots of packets of seeds all came free with garden mags so if I have got what you want you are welcome to them
Pleasure Lyn
Gardenmaiden - the seeds arrived today and as Lyn said, a lovely card. Thank you so much
Hi all
.
What's the best way to ripen sunflower seeds ? I have some beautiful red & gold sunflowers (Sunflower - Prado Red), still flowering strongly but now that the weather is colder and wet, I don't want the seeds to rot.
Would hanging the flowerheads in my shed, near the window, help the seeds to ripen ?
I bought the seeds at Gardening Scotland on 30th May, and they were sown at the beginning of June. There were only 10 seeds in the packet, so I'd love to collect some if I can to grow these sunflowers again next summer.
These sunflowers grow to 5 feet high, and each plant has around 10 flowering stems on it. The flowers are a very dark brownish red, and most of them have gold tips on every petal. If I can save some of the seed, I may have a little available here.
Foolio, Cangrandnafixit and ladygardener2, I've replied to your messages. Please could you send me your addresses so that I can post your seeds.
Forester2 and Fishy65, thank you for your lovely messages, it was no trouble at all
.
I made those little seed packets out of baking parchment, sellotape and staples. I thought it was best to package the seeds this way to keep them safe in the post.
I used to work for Royal Mail, so have seen first hand how easily envelopes can be damaged and the contents lost. Even something as small as a staple can get caught in the machines used to sort the mail, which then jams the machine an often rips the envelope. I'm always careful about posting things after having seen the damage RM's "super-efficient" sorting machines can cause. (I always sellotape over the flap on envelopes too now because the gum doesn't always hold, especially on cheaper envelopes
).
Hi poppy,
Have sent you a pm .gran
You're welcome Fishy
PinkandWhitePoppy, I've pm'd you my address. All those who have reqested seeds will get them and some were posted yesterday, the rest will be in the post today.
When I receive any I'll post on here and send a pm too.
Sorry only know what I have read about what would be the best way to ripen the sunflower seeds. I'm leaving mine on the plant and taking off tatty leaves to make them look a bit better. Last year some ripened at the allotment quite late in the year despite a lot of rain as the head was leaning forward slightly.
I have seen on Wiki How that if you cover the head with a brown paper bag, cut the head off leaving about 30cm of a stalk. Hang the brown bag with the sunflower head up somewhere dry where air can circulate. Periodically check the head to make sure it's not going mouldy. After about a week or so the seeds should be easily removed. If they are difficult to remove then leave the head for another while as they are not yet ripe and dried properly. Sunflower seeds will be easily removed when they are ripe and dry, if you're finding it difficult then they're not ready.
Perki, seeds posted today
Gardenmaiden many thanks for your generous gift of the seeds and the lovely card, they arrived just now. Yours are on their way.
You're welcome