Sunflower

[hope19]

My sunflower has grown over six foot and has a huge flower,10" diameter,it has been in flower for about 4 weeks. now the head has drooped as it`s so heavy,
does this mean it is at the end of it`s days?

[jomifl]

yes, here in the SW france there are millions doing exactly that. It may produce more flowers if you cut the old one off but they wont be very big. Best leave it for the seeds to ripen then you can have a garden full of sunflowers next year.

[rowanwitch]

splint it wit a length of cane and some gaffer tape so songbirds can get to the seeds more easily it will take them ages to strip it

[Clanad]

Many farmers near us in the western U.S. raise sunflowers, primarily for the oil. The sunflowers should droop near the end of the season but you really shouldn't do anything with it until the lower leaves on the stalk wilt and turn brown. If you'd look at the head now, you'd probably see some stuff sluffing off of the seeds. This is normal and the seeds are maturing. When the stalk gets withered, cut the head with maybe a good foot or two of the stalk attached, hang upside down in a sunny place to dry. The seeds will remain in the heads for a long time... you can then put the entire head out or shake it over a large paper bag to collect the seeds. If you put the entire thing out, the squirrels will make short work of it...

[vivandorron]

Do as Clanad has said and collect the seeds. You can then put them out for the birds in the winter; Bluetits will really enjoy them if they are put in a mesh feeder and you'll also enjoy watching them whilst they hang upside down to get at the seeds. Alternatively you could eat the seeds yourself....they taste really great with some cheese and also when baked in bread.

Ron