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Old 08-07-2004, 05:02 PM
dps
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sunflower seed now

Commercially available sunflowers have maturity times ranging from 60
days up to 100 days. Look for some of the shorter ones in any good seed
catalog. There must be a few thousand varieties to choose from. Many
hybrids, some pollenless (if you want them as cut flowers [but don't use
this kind for seed or oil]). Prices are also all over the map.
Sunflowers for bird seed (which will grow if you plant them, but the
maturity time is indeterminate) are in the $5-15/50 lb range. Some of
the hybrids get up to $70/oz.

I'd say you have a reasonable chance of getting seed heads from
birdseed, but a better chance with some of the decorative sunflowers
from a catalog if you choose the shorter maturity time.