Other than sunflowers which grew from wild bird seed feeders, these are the first sunflowers I've grown.
Each plant is covered with flowerheads right now, and most have buds still to open too. How hardy are sunflowers ? It is a beautiful sunny day here right now with a clear blue sky, so I'm expecting a light frost tonight.
Foolio, ladygardener and gran, your seeds are ready to post but I might not manage to post them until tomorrow morning. I'm waiting for a delivery of fencing and there's no-one else at home today.
I'll post them this afternoon if my fencing arrives before the post box collection time of 4.45pm. If not, then I'll post for tomorrow's collection at 12 noon. Hope that's ok .
I know I am sending root plants to Fishy and Gran and plants and dahlia seeds to Vic , but do I owe anybody seeds, I will be clearing them out soon. Brains not in gear very well but. I really want to keep up on this thread, I love it! (And all you lovely peeps as well)
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Hi Ladygardener2, regarding the collection of your sunflower seeds I have some advice for you. I grow sunflowers every year, mostly large or giant, but also smaller ones. First, they are quite hardy and will go on into November. However, the seasonal storms with high winds are what usually does for them first, even with the best staking.
I have already lost some branches that were in flower and the top of one of mine from the relatively high winds and rain earlier this week. The problem is that with the wet and the increased weight of the larger flowers, seedheads and branches, the wind can easily break them off or topple a large sunflower.
The problems start when the winds, with rain, get over about 16-18mph. Last October we had 20mph+ winds and rain here in Sheffield and it toppled some of my giants that were well-staked with multiple, thick bamboo canes. In some cases the bamboo canes bent right over to the ground or snapped with the weight and wind.
Regarding seed collection I leave the seedheads on the plant for as long as possible, unless there is damage of the kind I described. Or if the seedhead is particularly large I will cut it off to remove some of the weight from the plant.
I also inspect the front and back of the seedhead for signs of mould, or 'wet' penetrating patches on the backs. If they show any signs of this I cut them off immediately. If they're a ljust ittle mouldy on the front I just gently scrape it off and put them somewhere to dry. If they have wet backs I harvest the seeds immediately.
I don't bother with brown paper bags or covering the seedheads as I've found sunflower seedheads stay whole for quite some time. It's only when they're really dry and move about that they start to fall out. I do leave about 30cm of stem while they're drying. I also find that the seeds ripen very quickly when stored in a dry place, although most of mine have ripened on the plant and are ready for immediate harvesting if they're dry.
There's no need to hang them either, unless you want to to collect any seeds that may fall when they're very dry. As long as they're stored in a dry, airy spot they'll be fine. For winter storage I keep mine in the loft but any cool dry place will do, or in a sealed plastic container in the fridge. Anywhere else use paper/envelopes for storage.
Posts
Thanks GM - have you had chance to look at my seed list on page 48 yet?
Thank you lg
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Other than sunflowers which grew from wild bird seed feeders, these are the first sunflowers I've grown.
Each plant is covered with flowerheads right now, and most have buds still to open too. How hardy are sunflowers ? It is a beautiful sunny day here right now with a clear blue sky, so I'm expecting a light frost tonight.
Foolio, ladygardener and gran, your seeds are ready to post but I might not manage to post them until tomorrow morning. I'm waiting for a delivery of fencing and there's no-one else at home today.
I'll post them this afternoon if my fencing arrives before the post box collection time of 4.45pm. If not, then I'll post for tomorrow's collection at 12 noon. Hope that's ok
.
Hi Perki
dracocephalum and orlay sound unusual, I'll try them please.
Pink and White Poppy that's fine by me of course. Cangrandmafixit I've sent you my address.
Gardenmaiden - could PM your address please
I know I am sending root plants to Fishy and Gran and plants and dahlia seeds to Vic , but do I owe anybody seeds, I will be clearing them out soon. Brains not in gear very well but. I really want to keep up on this thread, I love it! (And all you lovely peeps as well)
Hi Ladygardener2, regarding the collection of your sunflower seeds I have some advice for you. I grow sunflowers every year, mostly large or giant, but also smaller ones. First, they are quite hardy and will go on into November. However, the seasonal storms with high winds are what usually does for them first, even with the best staking.
I have already lost some branches that were in flower and the top of one of mine from the relatively high winds and rain earlier this week. The problem is that with the wet and the increased weight of the larger flowers, seedheads and branches, the wind can easily break them off or topple a large sunflower.
The problems start when the winds, with rain, get over about 16-18mph. Last October we had 20mph+ winds and rain here in Sheffield and it toppled some of my giants that were well-staked with multiple, thick bamboo canes. In some cases the bamboo canes bent right over to the ground or snapped with the weight and wind.
Regarding seed collection I leave the seedheads on the plant for as long as possible, unless there is damage of the kind I described. Or if the seedhead is particularly large I will cut it off to remove some of the weight from the plant.
I also inspect the front and back of the seedhead for signs of mould, or 'wet' penetrating patches on the backs. If they show any signs of this I cut them off immediately. If they're a ljust ittle mouldy on the front I just gently scrape it off and put them somewhere to dry. If they have wet backs I harvest the seeds immediately.
I don't bother with brown paper bags or covering the seedheads as I've found sunflower seedheads stay whole for quite some time. It's only when they're really dry and move about that they start to fall out. I do leave about 30cm of stem while they're drying. I also find that the seeds ripen very quickly when stored in a dry place, although most of mine have ripened on the plant and are ready for immediate harvesting if they're dry.
There's no need to hang them either, unless you want to to collect any seeds that may fall when they're very dry. As long as they're stored in a dry, airy spot they'll be fine. For winter storage I keep mine in the loft but any cool dry place will do, or in a sealed plastic container in the fridge. Anywhere else use paper/envelopes for storage.
Hi soulboy, it is me who asked about collecting sunflower seeds. Thank you for your very helpful advice
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I will leave the flowerheads on the plants then. Thank you.
I have harvested loads of those pale ice blue delphs, also Helenium (I have never grown these from my own seeds though).
Small pale blue scabious. Cerinthe Borage. Dk blue delphiniums
White delphiniums Aquilegia..Pink white Dk blue yellow
Foxgloves white.. white/ red spots in throat. Apricot
Stachys (lambs ears) Lychnis coronaria Dianthus deltoides
Tall pink echium White cornflower White campion.
Godetia Nigella
my seeds from packets, most freebies from mag
Amaranthus Josephs coat
Aster Ostrich feather
Antirrhinum cheerio mixed
Aquilegia Yellow Bonnet
Bellis Large flower mixed
Calendula Balls improved orange opened but will be good
Cleome Rose Queen
" " Helen Campbell White
Coreopsis
Cornflower blue
" " White
Cosmos Double click Snow Puff
" " "Mixed colours
Cosmos Purity
Cosmos sensation mixed
Forget me not Blue Ball
Golden Berry Cape gooseberry
Gypsophila Elegans
Honesty MIxed
Lavatera silver cup
Mesembryanthemum Lunette
" " Sparkles mixed
Morning glory Carnevale di venezia
Nigella mixed
Petunia Nana Compacta
Poppy ladybird
Poppy Fruit Punch
Sunflower F1 Full Sun (name not instructions)
Sweet Rocket
Verbena bonariensis
Hi Pinkand WhitePoppy, sorry for the confusion - more haste and less speed. Please let us know how you get on next season.