Sunflower seed heads for bird feed
sthlndngrower
Posts: 153
HI,
I'm growing a small variety of sunfower (http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/helianthus-debilis-vanilla-ice/classid.2000014780/). I wonderd if i should leave the flower heads on when they've gone over for the birds, although the centre seems slightly furry, not seedy like the traditional big yellow sunflowers. Do i just need to eave them longer or shall i dead head them? Not sure if all varieties of sunflower produce seed that can be left for teh birds to feed on.
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In the growing instructions on your link it suggests protecting the seeds from birds so they must like them. It will take time for seeds to form after the petals have gone over
In the sticks near Peterborough
No reason why you can't leave the flower heads on for the birds. As your's is a small variety, the seeds will be smaller than the huge sunflower varieties. Birds will still eat then regardless of the size.
I've grown a few different varieties of varying sizes ranging from dwarf to 5 or 6ft this year and plan to save as many seeds as I can to feed birds over winter.
At present bee's are attracted to them like a magnet. If you have alot of sunflowers you could cut some when the petals have dropped, to dry for winter bird feed. I make fat balls during the winter and mix them with other seeds.
thank you, just wasn't sure if i should leave them on or dead head. will DH some and save the head for later feeding, and leave a few on for now.
Many thanks folks