sunflowers

Hi. Am new to davesgarden, so please forgive if I am bringing up old topics. Also, please direct me to the proper subject area,if this post does not belong on "general".I would like to expand a small cut sunflower business that me and my children started last year. I have some problems that I hope the members could help with. (1) where to get bulk speciality sunflower seed at reasonable prices in the US (I found a good souce in England, but prefer to buy here)? I am looking for cut flower, pollenless varieties, such as:moonbright,ring of fire,shine,sunbright supreme,sunrich (2)recommendations to keep insects away from the cut bunchs at the market. Other vendors have complained that the sunflowers attract insects into the market (they do, but they do not bother me). Will the pollenless varieties attract less insects? Should I spray the bunches with sevin or another insecticide (last resort)? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Burpees has pollenless and so does Swallowtail Gardens and I believe pinetree gardens also.If you can't find them, post here again, and I will look up the links for you.
Sandy

I think it is the color of Sunflowers that insects go for as there isn't much of a scent to bring them in.

why not buy a 56LB bag of bird Sunflower seeds which should set you back about $30

Mark
N Ireland

a great seed company abundant life sells bulk seeds. they have sunflowers and more. you can find their website at http://www.abundantlifeseed.org/. they sell only open polinated seeds and have seed saving materials too so you can save your seeds to plant next year. the sunflowers are listed under grains. btw they're a non profit company made up of mostly volunteers.

i wouldn't spray insecticide on the flowers though. a lot of people like to smell flowers and bring it close to their faces just to feel. insectide would be such a turnoff and sticks!! not to mention bad for you. well bugs are a part of life.

one of the market vendors, the organic farm that i used to buy groceries told me a story.
one time she had his lady come up to her and say, " i'll never buy organic there's too much dirt and bugs." Gees lady would you rather feed your kids chemicals than rise of some dirt? where do you think it grows?

This message was edited Wednesday, May 2nd 4:45 PM

This message was edited Wednesday, May 2nd 4:48 PM

eldodog
Johnnys Seeds has the sunflower seeds you are looking for.
(207)437-4395 or fax (800)738-6314 or www.johnnyseeds.com
Stick with the pollenless varieties, they last longer and
are worth more. We get 1.25/stem wholesale for Sunbright Supreme and Sunbeam.
Good luck
Bud

eldodog
Also try express seed 1800-221-3838. They are about 1/3 the price of all the others

Bryan

Everyone here has covered all my suggestions.But I just wanted to say WELCOME to Daves Garden!