Sunflowers from birdseed?

[elleme]

I didn't want to hijack the sunflower comp thread as the topic is different, but has anyone ever tried to grow a sunflower from commercial bird seed? I've sometimes had it germinate near the feeder but it never lasts long due to snails immediately decimating the seedlings (they were less interested in my mini wheatfield).

This time I've shoved a couple of seed in pots safely out of reach of the slimy critters just to see how they get along. Have no idea how they are going to end up looking, but I figured it was worth a shot for free.

[Kayleigh]

I have grown the black ones but they are a smaller seed so they grow to about 2ft-3ft..But again that is sown where they fell and not looked after.
My main problem is stopping the dog from trampling them.

[Duke of York]

We have not actually tried to grow sunflowers from birdseed, but we have had them grow (with no looking after I might add) and had some relatively good ones about 4 foot high

[galanthus]

I've never tried to grow them either, however, there are saplings everywhere at the moment thanks to the coal tits mainly Some are around 5 inches but I've never had one spared by the dog to grow into a flower yet.

When I was tidying the feeder area up and doing a spot of grass removal on Sunday I unearthed a fully grown horse radish tho Must have been a seed in the feeders cos I've never planted any

[pressld2]

Be careful what you let grow from fallen bird seed! Sunflowers and horse radish - no problem. But I've been told that some seed mixes contain cannabis seed! Heard on the radio this morning that they are talking about making the sale and posession of cannabis seed illegal so maybe not for much longer.

Dave P.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Be careful what you let grow from fallen bird seed! Sunflowers and horse radish - no problem. But I've been told that some seed mixes contain cannabis seed! Heard on the radio this morning that they are talking about making the sale and posession of cannabis seed illegal so maybe not for much longer.

Dave P.

Yep! I have a gas weed gun. Last year I burnt some weeds on the patio a few weeks later guess what came up.

[pressld2]

Well that's one way to make weeding more enjoyable. Next time you get the flame-thrower out invite some guests!

Dave P.

[hobble]

My daughter took a big bag of bird, sunflower seeds to school last year and they all grew.
I had better be sure about seeds this year by the look of the last few threads!!!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by hobble

My daughter took a big bag of bird, sunflower seeds to school last year and they all grew.
I had better be sure about seeds this year by the look of the last few threads!!!

You see these people on TV in raids, where they have ultraviolet lights. Perfect growing conditions ect You just need a patio and flame gun.lol

[elleme]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Be careful what you let grow from fallen bird seed! Sunflowers and horse radish - no problem. But I've been told that some seed mixes contain cannabis seed!

I never knew they put hemp seed in birdseed mix! So far, all l had growing last year from fallen seed was stuff which looked like wheat and possibly oat. Mind you, I started on a different mix lately, so you never know what may turn up...