When to Cut a Sunflower's Stalk Off

A Thousand Small Flowers

• Although a sunflower looks like a single large blossom, the sunflower head consists of up to 2,000 smaller flowers, each with the potential to produce a seed. The appearance of the sunflower changes dramatically as the small black-centered flowers mature into beige seeds. Be aware of this when you time your cutting. Sunflower bouquets typically feature the immature blossoms with black centers. If you plan to use the sunflower decoratively, harvest it while it is still young. If you want the seeds, wait to harvest until after pollination and seed growth.

For Decoration

• The best time to harvest a sunflower stalk for a bouquet is when the head has only partially unfurled. It resembles a bonnet cinched in around the face. Cut the stalk at the length you want to present it. If you want to put it on immediate display, immerse the severed head in water. Over the following days, the flower gradually unfurls. The result is an infertile sunflower that is not blemished by the growth of beige seeds. Alternatively, dry the sunflower by hanging it upside down in dry, dark room. Dried sunflower heads are enduring and even when harvested in midsummer, they last until autumn.

For Seeds

• If you are interested in the seeds, let the flower bloom on its stalk and then check it regularly to observe the development of the seeds. As the seeds mature, the petals surrounding the head gradually wither and fall away. Soon, the whole head turns brown and dips downwards. This is your cue to cut the stalk and take the sunflower head for processing. You can gather the seeds directly from the stalk. By the time the head has browned, the seeds are ready to fall off. You can remove them by brushing them with your fingers.

Time of Year

• Depending on the climate in your region and the type of sunflower you planted, the exact time of year to harvest varies. The earliest bloomers unfurl in late spring, while the latest show their colors in early autumn. Under most conditions, sunflowers bloom in the middle of the summer. If you're planting a new cultivar, the most reliable way to time the harvest is to watch the flowers. They're big enough that this shouldn't be a problem, even if the stalk is 12 feet tall.