What is it about sunflowers that makes them so popular? These are beautiful, very cheerful flowers that add a splash of color to any home. In addition, these are the vegetables from which pipas are extracted, delicious salty edible seeds that we all know. The large size of sunflowers, their shape and their characteristic yellow color are reminiscent of the sun, summer and heat. It is therefore not surprising that they are one of the favorite flowers. In order to keep them longer or harvest their seeds to eat them, there is a fairly simple process. In this article we will explain how to dry a sunflower, either to use it as a decorative element or to make our own pipes.
If you’re growing sunflowers and want to harvest their seeds to eat later, I recommend you keep reading. We will explain to you step by step how to dry a sunflower to extract its seeds and how to make them edible, transforming them into the famous salted sunflower seeds. In case you want to dry the whole flower of the sunflower to decorate your house, do not worry, because we will also comment on how to carry out this task step by step. In addition, We will talk about the drying time of these precious flowers.
How to dry sunflower?
In addition to being extremely beautiful, sunflowers are very distinctive for their seeds. Who doesn’t love blowjobs? Then we will explain you step by step how to dry a sunflower to extract the seeds and later to be able to eat them:
- Prepare the sunflowers: It is important to wait for these plants to mature before harvesting the seeds. The backs of the flowers should take on a yellowish-brown hue. Ideally, wait until the heads of these vegetables begin to fall off and lose their petals.
- Wrap the sunflower heads: With a paper bag or cheesecloth we need to wrap the flowers and tie them with thread. In this way we will protect the seeds and make sure we get the most out of them.
- Cut the stems: When harvesting sunflowers, always cut the stems diagonally and to a length of between 15 and 30 centimeters to allow the flowers to dry well.
- Hang the sunflowers: To help them dry faster, it’s best to hang them upside down in a dry, dark place, at least until the head is completely brown.
- Extract the seeds: Once the sunflowers are dry, it’s time to extract the seeds. We can do this with our fingers, a fork or a stiff brush, for example.
- Prepare the seeds for consumption: Mix 120 grams of salt in 3.8 liters of water. Clean the seeds so that there are no remains of vegetables and put them in the previous mixture. Leave to soak for at least eight hours. Then, spread the seeds in a pan and put them in the oven at 218°C for about five hours, until they are dry.
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Properties and cultivation of sunflower seeds
Now that we’ve made our own pipes, how do we preserve them? It is best to put them in an airtight container. If we also put them in the freezer, they can be stored for up to a year. After our first attempt, we can experiment and make them more to our liking, modifying the mixture we discussed in point six.
How to store sunflower flowers?
In case we want to know how to dry a sunflower to use it as a decorative element With us, the procedure is obviously different. Let’s see how to do it step by step:
- Collect the sunflowers: When choosing the sunflowers we want to dry, it is essential that they are partially open. So the seeds are not yet fully developed, and we will prevent them from falling off after the drying process. The most recommended thing is that the sunflowers are medium or small in size.
- Cut the flowers: When it comes to cutting the flowers, we should leave a stem about six inches long. Next, remove all the dead leaves that are around the head of the sunflower.
- Hang the sunflowers: To hang these flowers, we can tie them with dental floss or rope. Up to three specimens can be put together, but it is preferable that the heads of the sunflowers do not touch each other. It is essential to place them in a dry and dark place, such as a closet. Of course, they must have some space, that is, not touching anything around them so that they can dry properly.
- Wait for them to dry: After hanging them, we have to wait until they are completely dry. Then it’s time to pull them out of the closet, or wherever they are, and cut the thread.
- Spray with hairspray: The best trick to preserve both the shape and the color of dried flowers is to spray them with a little hairspray. In this way, they will be better protected, which will increase their durability.
Another option for point three would be place the sunflowers in a vase instead of hanging them. In this way, the petals of the same will end up arching. We choose the option that is, it is essential to place the flowers in a dry and dark place for this process. If you want to learn more about natural flower drying methods, click here.
How long does it take to dry a sunflower?
We already know how to dry a sunflower, but how long does this process take? Whether it is to make pipes or to decorate our house with these beautiful flowers, the time they usually take to dry is usually around two weeks, although they may be three. It mainly depends on the size of the sunflower. Remember that it is very important to hang the flowers in a dark, dry room so that they can dry properly.
It must be said that the dried flowers They do not tolerate direct sun very well. It is therefore necessary to place the dried sunflowers in a place of the house where they are not directly exposed to the rays of the sun. In this way, we will be able to considerably lengthen its durability and its beautiful appearance.
Do you dare to make your own pipes or decorate your house with dried sunflowers? If so, let us know your experiences in the comments.