Sunflower heads can get very large and dense as they fill with seed.If you plan to collect them for seed or decorating, it’s important to make sure that they are dried properly.
Sunflower heads contain a lot of moisture. Once they are cut from the stem, they are at risk of molding if left for any amount of time without the proper drying strategy.
The flowers are mature when the sunflower head is nodding, the back of the flower has turned from green to yellow, and the centre florets are starting to fall off on their own.
Hanging the sunflowers to dry allows the flower heads to remain suspended without touching anything. This helps with the air flow and aides in the drying process.
You can hang the flowers from any sturdy structure. We sometimes use a wire rack in our kitchen to hang flowers to dry. You can also use a sturdy drying line.
It’s important that the drying area remain warm and dry to prevent molding. Check on the sunflower heads regularly, and turn them over from time to time.
When you harvest the seed from the sunflowers, allow them to dry on a plate or cookie sheet for several days minimum, allowing them to dry completely before storing.