12 Ways To Get The Most Seeds From Your Sunflowers

There ’s nothing quite as satisfying as cracking clear a homegrown helianthus head and spilling out a bounteousness of plump , glossy seeds . If you ’ve ever sense that twinge of defeat when your sunflowers blossom beautifully but yield only a thin smattering of semen , you ’re not alone ! With a few strategic tweak — crop from variety selection to pollinator - friendly strategies — you may turbocharge your sunflower harvest and filling jar after jolt with nutritious dainty .

Whether you ’re develop sprawl giant or compact dwarfs , Helianthus annuus ( aboriginal to North America and mostly non - invasive , though Volunteer can pop up in take after seasons ) , these twelve tip will pass you through every stage : from seed pick and planting to alimentation , protecting , and harvest home . Ready to transform your sunflower patch up into a seed - producing fireball ? countenance ’s dive in !

Hand-Pollinate for Extra Insurance

While honeybee and native humblebee do most of the pollination work , a light touch from your finger’s breadth can further seed readiness , especially on less - visited flowers . lightly sweep a clean paintbrush or cotton swab across the center of each floret — mimicking insect visit — and transfer pollen from several flowers to each head . This hand - on feeler ensures more florets develop into full seeded player .

I love crouching beside my sunflower in the golden minute , cautiously disperse pollen as the light softens . It ’s a peaceable rite — and one of the most rewarding when you see those seed heads satisfy out more uniformly . Plus , as you pollenate , you might notice solitary ground bees nest in sun - warmed soil nearby , drawn by the promise of nectar in your bloom !

Choose High-Yield Varieties

Not all helianthus are create equal when it comes to seed product . await for oilseed or confectionery types — such as ‘ Mammoth Grey Stripe ’ or ‘ Russian Mammoth’—which are bred specifically for declamatory , plump seeds . Dwarf and cosmetic varieties often prioritize flower form over semen size , so if seed are your goal , sharpen on those proven performer .

It ’s such a bummer to grow a beautiful novelty sunflower only to find tiny seed at harvest ! By commence with variety known for seed yield , you position yourself up for success from Clarence Day one . And since Helianthus annuus is native to prairies , these robust types typically resist invasive tendencies while thriving in well - drained garden stain .

Plant at Proper Spacing

I always fancy a sunflower “ neighborhood ” with enough breathing room for each gargantuan head word to confront the Lord’s Day without happen into its neighbor . That extra articulatio cubiti room invites hoverflies and aboriginal wasps into the gaps , where they ’ll nest in loose soil and keep blighter populations in check , give your sunflowers the healthiest background for seed development .

Feed with Phosphorus and Potassium

After blossoming , pitch your feeding strategy from nitrogen - cloggy formulas to a bloom - and - fruit intermixture rich in phosphorus ( phosphorus ) and potassium ( K ) . These nutrients corroborate rich source development and starch geological formation . A balanced 5 - 10 - 10 granular fertilizer mold into the ground around the beginning zone can make a pronounced remainder in semen fullness .

I remember one season when my heads were surprisingly thin — then I apply a midseason P - K boost , and within weeks , the seed mind swell noticeably ! The extra carbs also dulcify the nectar , attracting more butterflies and native bee to loaf around your garden .

Provide Strong Support

As seeded player heads mature , they become sullen — particularly after rain — and can swag or snap off . Install sturdy stakes or trellises early on in the time of year , and mildly tie stem with soft twine as they grow . This forestall malarky damage and keeps heads upright to dry out equally , reducing bunkum and mold on wet years .

It ’s such a relief to see your largest ‘ Mammoth Grey Stripe ’ heads roost high and proud , rather than drooping into dampish soil ! Plus , elevated flush become select perches for seed - storing squirrel — which you ’ll have to discourage if you want the seeds all to yourself .

Attract and Protect Pollinators

A thriving pollinator community like a shot translate to fuller seed head . flora companion flowers like regal coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) or native prairie grass that offer nectar throughout the season . put up shallow water dishes and avoid broad - spectrum insecticides to keep bees , hoverflies , and beneficial wasps good and abundant .

One of my favorite sights is a cluster of honeybees and bumblebees swarming a helianthus at sunrise . Their buzzing is medicine to a nurseryman ’s spike — each visit fertilizes hundreds of florets , setting the stage for those plump seed you ’re counting on !

Thin Seedlings Early

rabid seed - sowing can result in crowded seeded player trays or garden rows . Once seedlings emerge , thin them to the recommended spacing while they ’re minuscule — an well-to-do tower with pair of scissors under the soil line preserve roots of neighboring plants . This early cutting minimizes transplant shock and guarantees each sunflower has optimal resources for psyche development .

I ’ve determine the hard room that leave every sprout in place often leads to lank plants with undersized heads . By thinning early , I insure each survivor becomes a potential germ wizard — plus , the supernumerary room makes irrigation and weed so much easier !

Harvest at the Perfect Moment

Timing is everything for seed - caliber . Wait until the back of the sunflower headspring turn from green to yellow - dark-brown , and the single ejaculate come along plump with dark grade insignia . softly rub your fingerbreadth across the germ — if they detach easily , it ’s harvest clock time . delay longer risks birds or squirrels getting there first , or seeds falling to the ground .

It ’s such a quiver to harvest just as the morning dew dries and before hungry finches pounce in ! I often drape cheesecloth over the straits a workweek before harvest home to deter birds , insure the seeds you see are the seeds you ’ll break through open afterward .

Protect from Birds and Critters

Birds , squirrels , and chipmunk adore helianthus seed as much as we do . Install lightweight netting or bird - proof mesh over forefront when seeds begin to fat . Alternatively , shift the fountainhead downward as it mature — squirrels find it hard to hang and peck at seeds when the look is turn back .

I chuckle think of my ingenious “ hat ” of mesh I once forge for a giant sunflower — it looked silly , but it puzzle out like a charm ! Without that barrier , I ’d have shared half my harvest time with the local finch wad .

Rotate Heads with the Sun

Sunflowers excellently track the sun ( a behavior called heliotropism ) during bud formation but eventually settle eastwards once mature . you could coax fuller seed ontogeny by softly rotating heavy drumhead toward the morning Dominicus each mean solar day . This maximize solar exposure when temperatures are coolest and reduces afternoon heat stress .

I bang this daily ritual — like guiding a solar instrument panel to optimal angle ! The consequence ? More unvarying seed maturation and a visually pleasing row of sunflowers all facing dawn , ready to greet you with rosy - amber smile .

Ensure Even Watering

discrepant moisture leads to uneven seed fill — lactating spells alternating with drought can block source developing . utilize soaker hose or dripping irrigation to deliver deep , slow waterings about once a week , depending on rain . Mulch around the base to maintain wet and keep roots cool .

I know how tempting it is to rely on sporadic shower , but a minuscule subsidiary tearing during teetotal spell makes a earth of difference of opinion ! When roots persist evenly moist , seed heart develop equally from the centre to the edge of each head .

Dry and Store Properly

After cutting heads for harvest home , string up them upside down in a warm , airy location — like a covered porch or barn loft — to finish drying . Place a tray or sheet to a lower place to catch fall seeds . Once thoroughly dry out ( seeds rattle in their eggshell ) , rub the heads lightly to release ejaculate , then stack away in airtight container in a cool , blue position .

It ’s such a joyfulness to break away your fingers through a fully - dried head and watch semen cascade down out ! Proper storage will keep those hard - garner seeds viable for planting or snacking well into the next season — truly the talent that continue on gift .

sunflower seedlings