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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

This year I planted some giant sunflower seeds that were said to be Russian Mammoth. The plants got really tall with all well over 14 feet. The heads though did not exceed 12 inches. The thing that was weird to me was that all the seeds were whitish except for one flower that had reddish purple seeds. The plant otherwise looked just like the rest. What happened?

9/16/2017 5:03:15 PM

Bethlehem CT

Did you or a neighbor have any other sunflower types nearby that had purple seeds. I have grown sunflowers with purple seeds before. They can dye your hands purple if they are still immature. Seed color is affected is affected by this years pollen.

9/17/2017 7:55:57 AM

Jericho Vermont

Not an expert here by any means but it seems typical as I have gotten white seeds from a reddish purple seeded plant and vice versa. Mine are open pollinated so who knows but I seem to see it every year.

9/17/2017 9:23:09 AM

Leerdam, The Netherlands

can it be moisture.
think I have seen it in very wet conditions.

9/17/2017 11:43:02 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Thanks for the responses. The plants were all in the same area of the garden and so it probably was not the amount of moisture present that caused the purple color. I am going to grow only the purple seeds next year and can't wait to see what I get. I am going to work harder at getting the head bigger next season. There are no other gardens near mine so I doubt it was outside pollen.

9/17/2017 2:13:32 PM

Western PA

I believe that some genetics got crossed somewhere.
I grow what I believe are " Craven variety" for big heads. I have gotten, purplish black seeds, white seeds, and grey and white seeds ( two tone). So , i really dont know what i will get. It seems that the blackish ones are out of the picture now though. I have not had that color for several years now.

9/17/2017 9:06:57 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I grew 3 Russian Mammoth sunflowers this past year. First time growing sunflowers. Mine grew to about 12 feet tall. The heads were about 10.5 inches across. I was expecting a taller plant and bigger head. My seeds were white. I grew them in a flower garden. This spring I will be growing them again this spring. Does anyone have a good recipe for the making the seeds. I tried a couple of 5 star recipes I found on the net but they didn't work for me. Thanks.

11/20/2017 11:22:21 AM