Seeding B.O.S.S. Update

[lighthawk]

Does any one know if Black oil sunflower seeds purchased at the feed store or TSC will germinate. I would like to start growing my own But if they are treated to prevent germination I would be wasting my time.
TIA

Thanks for all your input. I did raise about 20 plants this summer and the majority had nice large flowerheads. A few came up with five to ten small heads on a stalk. Now I need to find a way to keep the birds from 'helping" me harvest. By the time I thought they might be dry enough to store the birds had harvested 50% of my crop. I am experimenting with a design for a solar dehydrator so next year I don't have to wait so long for the seeds to dry and possibly keep the entire crop.

 

[lesa]

They grow like crazy!!!! Give it a try.

 

[thistlebloom]

We get lots of them under the bird feeders.

ETA I also sprout them in the winter for the hens.

 

[hoodat]

Some people prefer them to be heated so they won't sprout where the birds drop them. If they're heated it will say so on the package; otherwise they should grow.

 

[RustyDHart]

I've had them come up "volunteer" in my gardens all of the time.....hardy little buggers....my bantams love the seeds. Fellow Michigander....Where is Gobles, Mich.? I'm from the NW part of the LP.

 

[Greenthumb18]

Yep I agree too, they just sprout everywhere when I feed my birds . For the most part black oil sunflowers aren't heated but one birdseed I know are heated are niger seed or also known as thistle. Niger seed are heated to prevent in from germinating their mostly grown in Africa, where they are native.

 

[wifezilla]

I got a beautiful volunteer last year. I collected the seeds before the evil squirrels got them Planting a lot more this year!!

 

[April Manier]

Oh yes they grow! What a great idea too!!!!!!!!!

 

[lighthawk]

Thanks all I will check the bag to see if they have been heated.

I've had them come up "volunteer" in my gardens all of the time.....hardy little buggers....my bantams love the seeds. Fellow Michigander....Where is Gobles, Mich.? I'm from the NW part of the LP.

Hi Rusty, Gobles is just west of Kalamazoo.

 

[vfem]

Mine grow like crazy by the bird feeds too. Good thing the grow around my compost so it all looks so pretty and hides the not so pretty compost. Then off course they look all slumped and not so pretty later... but then its worth is since I give the dry heads to the chickens.