Which strains are used for black oil or gray stripe sunflower seeds as
sold for bird seed? What heights can I expect from planting either
variety?

This might not be the difinitive answer, but I had a great crop of sunflower
plants in my deck planters last year that the squirrels had planted. They
got the seeds from the bird feeders. They were 3-5 feet tall and were at
least three different varieties. I now use the "no waste" bird seed, so I'm
going to have to figure out what to do, because I have lousy luck growing
them myself. The squirrels still steal and bury the seeds, but since the
shell has already been removed, I presume they sure won't turn into plants.
And I'll be darned if I can picture in my mind's eye if the sunflower seeds
last year were striped or black oil. If I had to bet, I'd say they planted
the black, because I remember getting a few bags of straight black oil
seeds. The seed MIXES had both kinds.

This might not be the difinitive answer, but I had a great crop of sunflower
plants in my deck planters last year that the squirrels had planted. They
got the seeds from the bird feeders. They were 3-5 feet tall and were at
least three different varieties. I now use the "no waste" bird seed, so I'm
going to have to figure out what to do, because I have lousy luck growing
them myself. The squirrels still steal and bury the seeds, but since the
shell has already been removed, I presume they sure won't turn into plants.
And I'll be darned if I can picture in my mind's eye if the sunflower seeds
last year were striped or black oil. If I had to bet, I'd say they planted
the black, because I remember getting a few bags of straight black oil
seeds. The seed MIXES had both kinds.

On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:50:10 -0800, Father Haskell
wrote:

Which strains are used for black oil or gray stripe sunflower seeds as
sold for bird seed? What heights can I expect from planting either
variety?

I don't know what the commercial growers use, but the stuff
you get in 50 lb bags for bird seed will grow just fine. I
won't win any awards with this website, but take a look if
your interested in a few images of Black Oilers.

http://www.iserv.net/~lfisk/

Last year I had one plant that zoomed to 14 feet (used a
stiff tape measure, no guessing). Most common is about 6-8
feet though. Single or multiple heads.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:50:10 -0800, Father Haskell
wrote:

Which strains are used for black oil or gray stripe sunflower seeds as
sold for bird seed? What heights can I expect from planting either
variety?

I don't know what the commercial growers use, but the stuff
you get in 50 lb bags for bird seed will grow just fine. I
won't win any awards with this website, but take a look if
your interested in a few images of Black Oilers.

http://www.iserv.net/~lfisk/

Last year I had one plant that zoomed to 14 feet (used a
stiff tape measure, no guessing). Most common is about 6-8
feet though. Single or multiple heads.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!

Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!

Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!

Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!

I to plant 15 to 20 lbs of Southern States black oilers out in a wildlife
plot. One designer seed that I would recommend is the MAximilliam perennial
variety. You got to wait a year for it to bloom but it was worth it, bought
a ounce and dabbled color all around the homestead!
"Laurie" wrote in message
. net...
Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!

I to plant 15 to 20 lbs of Southern States black oilers out in a wildlife
plot. One designer seed that I would recommend is the MAximilliam perennial
variety. You got to wait a year for it to bloom but it was worth it, bought
a ounce and dabbled color all around the homestead!
"Laurie" wrote in message
. net...
Ohmygosh.................I'll never buy designer sunflower seeds again!!!
Thanks!