How can I make sure sunflower seeds will be OK for next summer?

Question

Last summer I grew wonderful sunflowers. Last fall, I kept many heads in order to use the seeds to grow them again this year. As I wasn't sure about the quality of the seeds I kept, I also bought new ones from the store. Unfortunately, only the new seeds from the store actually grow. Seeds I kept from last year's sunflowers do not grow at all. What is the technique to keep sunflower seeds and make sure I will be able to grow them OK next year?

Answer 1

Dry the seeds and store in a jar in the refrigerator. Better would be to vacuum pack them in a food saver bag. Now you know that if the plant the seeds you are saving is a hybrid then the seeds will not be true to the plant. That is they will be either one of the parents plants but not the hybrid they came from.

Answer 2

Sunflower seed should be firm and solid when ripe. Before you randomly store seed, check that it has fully developed internally, and that seeds are not `hollow`. Store dry and cool.

Answer 3

I havn't tried this yet but I was told to freeze my seeds. All kinds of seeds. I'm trying this with the sunflowers this year. I planted every kind that I could find this year too. i love them.

Answer 4

when you cut the heads off of you sunflowers and take out the seeds make sure they arent hollow.. then let them dry out.. place in a zip lock bag.... i did this for my morning glory seeds and i forget them in a pot that i stacked with other pots.. and put in hall closet for the winter.. i found them and thru them outside thinking that they wouldnt do anything and they are growing beautifully... good luck with them!

Answer 5

make sure they are dry and store them in a cool dry place in a brown paper bag so they will not mold