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+--- Thread: Multi-purpose Sunflowers (/showthread.php?tid=2334)
Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Veggie - 12-04-2025
A couple of years ago I was given 2 boxes of sunflower seeds for sprouting. They are black seeds and I don't know what type of sunflowers they are. My best guess is that they are oil seed sunflowers of some sort. https://oggardenonline.com/which-variety-of-sunflower-yields-black-oil-seeds.html
However, putting a name to them doesn't really matter as I have a cunning plan.
1. First make sure they're viable.
2. Sow them! Perhaps as part of a 3/4 sisters combination with sweetcorn, beans and squash
Assuming they grow, they will produce :-
Supports of beans
Flowers for the house and wildlife
Seeds for winter bird seed (and oil but that seems too much faff)
Seeds for sprouting next winter.
Lots of biomass for composting.
Guess I'd better try sprouting some seeds first.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Small chilli - 13-04-2025
This is a very exciting plan Veggie. I’ll be watching with interest.
I’ll be partly joining you. Thanks to you reminding me I can grow some sunflowers with my CFB, sweetcorn & squash. I would love to grow my own sprouting seed too. Maybe next year for that.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - JJB - 13-04-2025
Sounds good, multi purpose seeds and plants. TBH I've never grown a tall sunflower. Why ever not, I ask myself.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - SarrissUK - 13-04-2025
(12-04-2025, 10:30 PM)Veggie Wrote: A couple of years ago I was given 2 boxes of sunflower seeds for sprouting. They are black seeds and I don't know what type of sunflowers they are. My best guess is that they are oil seed sunflowers of some sort. https://oggardenonline.com/which-variety-of-sunflower-yields-black-oil-seeds.htmlI have the same plans! I got hold of some sunflower seeds for wild birds a week or two ago that were being sold off.
However, putting a name to them doesn't really matter as I have a cunning plan.
1. First make sure they're viable.
2. Sow them! Perhaps as part of a 3/4 sisters combination with sweetcorn, beans and squash
Assuming they grow, they will produce :-
Supports of beans
Flowers for the house and wildlife
Seeds for winter bird seed (and oil but that seems too much faff)
Seeds for sprouting next winter.
Lots of biomass for composting.
Guess I'd better try sprouting some seeds first.
My plan is to sow them on a triangle of land between ours and the neighbour's house that currently has some wild roses that aren't very pretty. The land is actually the current owner's, but he's embarrassed about the state of it and said we can use it. What would liven the space up better than a load of sunflowers?
The seeds from them will be used to supplement the chicken food. Can you tell I'm getting excited about buying chickens in a couple of weeks?
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Mark_Riga - 14-07-2025
I thought this is a god place for my queries.
First how is this plan progressing for you all?
And now some pictures of diseased or attacked sunflowers if anyone would know the likely culprit?
I took theses photos mid June and they have recovered somewhat since then.
[attachment=8377] [attachment=8378] [attachment=8379]
The 3rd one was the worst but the picture is very blurred.
Chris was all for composting them but I gave them on spray with neem oil and even the worst one now is looking very healthy. Probably now grown as much as it might have but the lack of rain wouldn't help
The worst one (no. 3) now showing the top and one of the deformed leaves on the stem:
[attachment=8380] [attachment=8381]
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - toomanytommytoes - 14-07-2025
Some of my sunflowers got that dark discolouration, I attributed it to the wet spell in June. There wasn't any sign of insect damage apart from greenfly, and it was only on certain plants even though they were all next to each other. The plants were otherwise healthy and growing well.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Veggie - 14-07-2025
I'm embarrassed to say that my sunflowers ran out of steam. I sprouted a tray of seeds, but they went mouldy before I planted them anywhere. There were just so many little seedlings that they overwhelmed me! Wonder if there's still time To sow some. One way to find out.
One day I'll make a list of all the things I want to do and actually do them. Sorry!
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Small chilli - 15-07-2025
I have CFB growing up a sunflower. Which is very exciting. I cut my first sunflower yesterday because it had rotted at the base and fell over. Stripped all the leaves and side buds off , stuck it in a jar of water. Today it’s started opening. I didn’t grow as many sunflowers as I’d like due to lack of space at the moment. Numbers will build in future years. I’m thinking of having a sunflower bed in the veg garden. As well as the odd ones I plant with other crops and the ones in the cottage garden.