Sunflowers for Your Garden
Sunflower Facts
Sunflowers resemble giant daisies. There are about 60 species of sunflower, both annual and perennial, all of which bloom in late summer or fall. Most are native to North American, and they are widely cultivated throughout the world. The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is the state flower of Kansas.When the sunflower plant is young, its head turns to face the sun each morning and follows the sun's movement throughout the day.
With their huge yellow flowers, sunflowers even resemble the sun. The flower heads look like a single flower, but they are really many individual flowers. The central brown button is a dense mass of individual disc flowers, and the petals are actually flattened ray flowers. There are many varieties of sunflower, with coarse, hairy stems that range 2 to 12 feet tall. Flower heads can be anywhere from 2 inches to 1 foot across. There are varieties with double flowers, some even ball shaped.
Colors of sunflowers include yellow, gold, bronze, orange, and mahogany red. Center discs can be yellow, brown, reddish, or purple.
How to Grow Sunflowers
Sunflower Growing Kit
Sunflower Growing Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflowers are delightful and versatile. They grow quickly and give a brilliant splash of color in a remarkably short time. Few things evoke the beauty and brightness of summertime better than these sunny giants! Here's everything you need to plant a whole patch!
Sunflower Seeds for Planting
Heirloom Sunflower Seeds Flash Blend Certified Organic 85 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.29 (as of 12/28/2009)
Gigantic Titan Sunflower 20 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Earthwalker Sunflower - 30 Seeds
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Chianti Sunflower - 25 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Mexican Sunflower Torch Heirloom Seeds 50 Seeds
Amazon Price: $1.89 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflowers
Seasonal Tips for Growing Sunflowers
Summer: Apply mulch to help conserve moisture and keep weeds down. Provide plenty of water and fertilize with a mild, organic fertilizer.
Fall: Harvest flower heads when you notice birds eating seeds. Hang in a dry, airy place for about a month to allow the seeds to dry.
Winter: Store seeds in an airtight container to preserve their vitamin content. Enjoy the seeds plain, roasted, or use them in salads or recipes.
Harvesting Sunflowers
When you see birds begin to eat the seeds, the sunflowers are ready to harvest. This is usually 80 to 120 days after sowing. To harvest, cut off the heads, leaving 1 foot of stalk attached. Tie the stalks together and hang in a warm and airy place to dry. After about a month of drying, the seed will come loose quite easily if you rub the heads lightly. Here's my favorite link:
Roasting Sunflower Seeds
Raw, mature sunflower seeds may easily be prepared at home by covering unshelled seeds with salted water (2 quarts of water to 1/4- to 1/2-cup of salt). Bring to a boil and simmer two hours or soak in a salt solution overnight. Drain and dry on absorbent paper.Put sunflower seeds in a shallow pan in a 300-degree F oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Take out of oven and add one teaspoon of melted butter or margarine to one cup of seeds. Stir to coat. Put on an absorbent towel. Salt to taste.
Field of Sunflowers
Nutritional Value of Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds have always been a favorite food of birds. The American Indians were the first to grow them as meal source. Eating sunflower seeds is increasingly popular with people of today, and with very good reason. Sunflower seeds are very nutritious being made of 24% protein; they provide more iron than raisins and more B vitamins than wheat. They are also a very good source of phosphorous, thiamine, and niacin. Hulled Sunflower Seeds
Klein's Naturals Sunflower Seeds, Hulled, (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $12.74 (as of 12/28/2009)
100% all-natural raw sunflower seeds. All-natural, kosher-certified, parve; contains no trans fats or preservatives. Great for snack time or anytime, always a world of nutty delight in each and every bite .Case of 6 containers, each container is 10-ounces (total of 60 ounces, 3.75 lbs)
Sunflower Seeds - Pre-packaged
David Sunflower Seed, Original Flavor, 5.25-Ounce Bags (Pack of 24)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
David Sunflower Seed, Ranch Flavor, 5.25-Ounce Bags (Pack of 24)
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
David Dill Pickle In Shell Sunflower Seeds 5.25 oz - 12 Unit Pack
Amazon Price: $17.88 (as of 12/28/2009)
David Jumbo In Shell Sunflower Seeds 4.5 oz - 12 Unit Pack
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflowers
10 Premium Sunflowers
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Beautiful flowers direct from the grower for maximum freshness at a great price!
Sunflower Kernals
Azar Nut Company Sunflower Kernals, Oil Roasted, Unsalted, 0.5-Ounce Bags (Pack of 300)
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower Kernels Bird Food, 50 Lbs
Amazon Price: $104.69 (as of 12/28/2009)
Azar Nut Company Sunflower Kernals, Honey Roasted, 1-Ounce Bags (Pack of 150)
Amazon Price: $35.43 (as of 12/28/2009)
Azar Nut Company Sunflower Kernals, Oil Roasted, 32-Ounce Resealable Bags (Pack of 3)
Amazon Price: $15.31 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower Mousepad
"Sunflowers Are Flowers Filled With Sunshine"
This sunflower mouse pad can brighten your entire work space.
Sunflowers Mousepad by cinemerald
Design
Most Fascinating Flower
We all have our favorite flowers, I know, but which flower do you find truly fascinating when you see it.
Chocolate Sunflower Seeds
Chocolate Coated Sunflower Seeds
Rainbow Colored Chocolate Coated Sunflower Crunchies 2 lbs.
Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 12/28/2009)
Yummy chocolate sunflower seeds! Sunflower seeds are coated in chocolate and finally enrobed in a crunchy candy outer coating. The combination of chocolate, crunchy sunflower seeds and candy outer coating brings a new taste sensation. Create your own gift sensations with these unique and unusual treats.
Sunflower Art
Claude Monet Sunflowers Flower Vase Art Poster Print - 16" X 20"
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower (Yellow) Art Poster Print - 16" X 20"
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower Rainbow Botanical Art Poster Print, 36x12
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Kristi Jorgensen Sunflower Art Print POSTER RARE OOP - 16" x 20"
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflowers in Provence Pottery Emerging Artists Giclee Poster Print by Ginette Callaway, 8x10
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Growing, Crafting, and Cooking with Sunflowers
Sunflowers: Growing, Crafting, and Cooking With the Sunniest of Plants/Book and Sunflower Seeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflowers for Gardening
Sunflower Flower Garden Canvas Gardening, book, picnic Tote Bag Purse by Marjolein Bastin
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower Garden Lanterns
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Bird Brain Carousel Sunflower Ceramic Bird Feeder
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Chaney Instrument 12-1/2-Inch Sunflower Thermometer
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sunflower Life Cycle
From Seed to Sunflower (Lifecycles)
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
Large illustrations and simple text present the life cycle of a sunflower from seed to flower.
Green Sunflowers
Green Ice Sunflower Seeds
Green Ice Sunflower - 25 Seeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
The very first sunflower with a green tinge which astonishingly matches everything it is mixed with. Clean, clear broad petals are held precisely and deepen with age. Stunning and no fear of pollen, it's go none! Grows four feet tall.
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A care guide for the fuchsia plant, known as a difficult flower to grow, is provided for you by gardening experts. The romantic, vibrant colored fuchsia plant has blossoms that dangle beautifully from pots, hanging baskets, or over the soil in a flow...
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Gardenia Plant Care
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A healthy Gardenia plant has creamy white blossoms and dark green leaves. Their sweet fragrance, similar to that of jasmine is simply intoxicating. Gardenia plant care, unfortunately, is not, however, that simple. proper plant care for the gardenia i...
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How To Plant Vegetables Indoors
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Learn how to plant vegetables indoors if you want the taste and benefits from eating fresh vegetables, but don't have the outdoor garden space to grow them. Let me tell you how easy it is to plant vegetables, indoors! You can grow fresh tomatoes, let...
Did You Find This Lens Helpful?
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Reply
- HorseAndPony HorseAndPony Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
- Great lens. I love sunflowers. It is amazing to see a field of sunflowers and watch them turn to face the sun throughout the day.
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Reply
- profilesincolor profilesincolor Jul 23, 2009 @ 8:49 am
- Lovely! Thanks for sharing! :-)
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Reply
- DaveWalters DaveWalters Jun 5, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
- I am so happy I found your lens Cynthia! I jsut joined Squidoo and I created my first lens about my favorite food in the whole world.....Sunflower Seeds! I found your lens very interesting. Thanks!
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Reply
- mulberry mulberry May 22, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
- I've never grown them but I do like the seeds. The tapestry above is really pretty.
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Reply
- Teddi14 Teddi14 May 21, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
- Great lens. 5*'s. I just love sunflowers. I grow a number of different varieties every year. The birds & the bees love me for it too. :-)
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by ClassyGals
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