Item Tag: Branching

View more great items Common Sunflower, Branching variety, Mix of Golden Yellow and. Bi-color Yellow to Orange “Sunburst”, Dark center (Helianthus annuus)Ordering Info:Untreated Organic Home Grown Seeds: Good Germination Rate Quantity of one = 25-30 seedsIf you order more than one, I will multiply the amount of seeds only. I will only divide them into separate packets as needed. You are welcome to message me with a request for a specific amount of labeled packets/envelopes. (For example: for gifting purposes.) All my seeds are produced from flowers that were open pollinated and organically home-grown in Illinois, USA. — (Guaranteed No pesticides, non-GMO, and NOT from China.) Seeds are sorted for viability and germination tested prior to the current season. Majority Germination guaranteed if kept moist and standard growing instructions are followed. To keep the cost down I use a standard 1st class Letter envelope; therefore I cannot provide a tracking number, unless it is a very large order. If you are willing to pay more for faster delivery and tracking, message me to make that arrangement. Please allow up to 14 business days for “Snail Mail” to deliver your order after it is “marked as shipped”. (Average time = 1 week). If your order has not arrived within that time, please message me right away. I will declare it to be Lost/Damaged if you haven’t received it by 3 weeks after your purchase date. By that time I will re-send your order at no charge, unless another arrangement is agreed on. No need to open a claim.Growing Information:DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C). SOWING: Direct seed (recommended): After the last frost, sow in groups of 2-3 seeds, 1/2″ deep. Protect seedlings from wildlife. Thin to one plant when true leaves appear. Transplant: Sow in final container 3-4 weeks prior to planting out. Sunflowers dislike root disturbance and do not transplant well. For success you must use a biodegradable container that can be planted directly into the ground, such as cow pots, paper pots, peat pots, or peat pellets. Transplants should be held indoors for no more than 4 weeks prior to planting out. Provide sun and good air movement. LIGHT PREFERENCE: Full Sun. SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Light, well-drained soil. Excessive nitrogen may cause plants to grow too vigorously with abnormal flower shapes. PLANT SPACING: 18-24″ apart. PLANT SIZE: 6-10′ Height x 2′ Wide FLOWER SIZE: 4-6″ diameter. Average 20 flowers per plant. HARDINESS ZONES: Annual. Tips:WILDLIFE: To feed wildlife, just leave the flower/seed heads on the plants until the seeds are gone; or cut and hang them upside-down from a feeder, tree, or anything.HARVEST:Fresh: Flowers can be harvested tight when color first begins to show, or when the flowers are just beginning to open, depending on when you want them at their fullest.Seeds: Cut after petals have dropped and hang upside-down to dry. To catch and protect all the seeds: Tie a paper bag, cloth, or nylon over seed head.Dried: When flowers are completely open. Hang or use silica gel.USES: Excellent cut flower and garden statement. Great seed production. All my seeds are produced from flowers that were open pollinated and organically grown in my USA IL home garden — Not with chemicals and Not from China. All my seeds are sorted for viability and germination tested immediately prior to the current season.Majority Germination guaranteed if kept moist and standard growing instructions are followed.If they are somehow damaged or wrong, I will replace with seeds of equal value as requested from stock on hand. Preparing Sunflower Seeds for Eating:To hull dried sunflower seeds, begin by breaking them up with a rolling pin, hammer or food chopper. Then, drop seeds and hulls into a large container of water and stir vigorously. The kernels will sink to the bottom and the shells will float. Dry the kernels before roasting or storing.Roast plain sunflower seeds on a cookie sheet in a 300 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 15 to 25 minutes. If you like salted seeds, soak them overnight in a brine of two quarts of water to 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt. The next morning, boil the seed brine with the seeds for a few minutes and drain. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet and roast in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for three hours or until crisp. If roasted long enough, they are easy to shell. If preferred, you can baste them with just a little butter while they are roasting. Stir or shake occasionally so they roast evenly.Another way to roast sunflower seeds is to simply mix them with butter and salt. Use about 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon salt for every 2 cups of seeds and roast them for about an hour at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Shake or stir them occasionally.To deep fry hulled seeds, allow 1/4 cup cooking oil for every cup of seeds. Fry at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until seeds are golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper and store, tightly covered.Hulled raw sunflower seeds can be used in muffins, cookies, bread and homemade granola and can be sprinkled on salads and cereal. Check out my other listingsMy ProfileSee More Items…