You can also cut the stalks before they are ready and hang them indoors to dry. If the sunflowers aren't ready yet, tie the stalks with twine. This is the most fun part I think. There is something oddly satisfying about de-seeding a sunflower bloom. You can wear gloves or not, depending on your preference. Firmly rub the seed head over a bucket to catch the seeds.
Line a shallow cardboard box or wooden crate with newspaper and paper towels and scatter the seeds in a single layer to dry, leaving space in between each seed. Allow them to dry for several hours or overnight. Label the container with the variety and the date you harvested.
The seed will last for years if stored this way. Allow the seeds to dry for several hours or overnight before storing. Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant. Your local bird population will certainly appreciate your homemade suet cakes, and if you compost this is a great way to use leftover beef fat.
You can find all of these ingredients in the bulk section of your local health food store, which allows you get exactly the amount you need. You can also buy the items in bulk to have them on hand when you run out. Making your own suet cakes is really easy to do and a great way to give your local bird population healthy food during the colder months. Finally, something for you to eat! If you prefer unsalted seeds, omit the salt in this process and simply soak the seeds in water.
Next, dry the seeds on a layer of newspaper and then paper towels for several hours before baking. You won't need clippers to prune the slim stems of plants like Helianthus "Lemon Queen," a perennial sunflower shrub rising to 6 feet tall and spreading 3 feet wide in USDA zones 4 though 9.
Just pinch off the stems as necessary before the stems bud. Harvest of annual sunflowers does not begin until the petals wilt and begin to fall. You can prevent seed loss to birds, squirrels and deer by covering the blossoms with paper bags at that point. After the seed shells fatten up but before they dry out, cut the sunflower stalks about 12 to 18 inches below the flower. It's best to tie the flower stalks together with cord or a rubber band and hang them upside-down in a dark, airy place at room temperature.
After the shells dry for a month or so, remove the seeds by rubbing two heads together. Place the cuttings in the hot water immediately after cutting. It is best to allow the cut flowers to sit in indirect light for several hours to 24 hours so they can take up water before making your arrangement.
This process is called conditioning. Step 6 - Keep Your Bouquet Out of the Sun Sunflowers do love the sun when growing, but after you cut them it is a different story. After cutting and arranging, keep your beautiful bouquet out of direct hot sun. It will last longer if kept in bright, but indirect light. Keep it in an area without drafts. The airflow will speed up drying out the cuttings.
Step 7 - Keep Your Water Fresh You can use a little bleach or the packets of flower preservative to destroy bacteria in the water. Or if you don't use anything, just recut the ends and change the water daily. Remember to use warm water, not cold water. I have read about other methods to keep down bacteria in the water but I have not tried them firsthand. You can enjoy your summer flower bouquet indoors for up to 10 days if you follow these few simple steps. You can choose varieties that do not produce pollen.
Suzanne May 18, How do you stop pollen from dropping from sunflowers after being cut? Annual sunflowers plants that only bloom once typically do not need any pruning. However, sunflowers that are growing in groups may need to be trimmed to keep from knocking one another over. By comparison, perennial types of sunflowers will occasionally require a trim.
Pruning helps these plants maintain a neat and tidy appearance during the summer months when they tend to get unruly.
To prune your plants correctly, you will first have to know when to prune them. Whether or not you need to prune your sunflowers depends on what kind they are. Perennial sunflowers that grow back every year can be pruned to maintain a more manageable height and neater appearance. A good rule of thumb is to prune them back to half of their size in late spring or early summer, and then cut them back by about a third in June or July.
You should also prune away any dead or damaged growth on your perennials throughout the growing season. If you want your sunflowers to have a neater appearance, you can also prune them to your desired shape. For more help, including how to cut off sunflowers for a bouquet, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account.
Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Cut your perennial plants back twice a year. A good general rule for pruning perennial sunflowers is to cut them down to half their size in the late spring or early summer.
Then, reduce their size again by a third in June or July. Keep your warm climate in mind. Gardeners from warmer climates should prune Maximillian, swamp Helianthus angustifolius , and willow leafed Helianthus salicifolius sunflowers to two-thirds of their original height in June.
0コメント