Mexican Sunflower/Tithonia Rotundifolia

9 years ago

When I am deadheading and saving seeds from my Mexican Sunflowers, I am getting a lot of chaff with them. Do I need to separate the seeds from the chaff or should I just plant it all? I am wondering about this, because I received some seeds, in a trade, in which there was chaff with the seed. It was written on the package to plant the chaff with the seed. How can I tell which seeds to plant with vs without the chaff?

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harold100

9 years ago

I grow the Tithonia too. Did you break the seed heads open and create a lot of chaff? The best way is to let the seed heads dry on a plate. Never pile them deep in a bowl as the ones on the bottom will mildew. Place about three flower heads at a time in a large Tupperware type bowl and seal it shut then swing the bowl like a tambourine against your hip and the impact will make these seeds fly out where they are wedged in the flower head on the outside. They are not buried deep within the pod. This eliminates a lot of the chaff problem. Good luck.

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Comments (6)

theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It is your choice, really. Some people prefer to have clean seeds, some don't mind if there is some chaff. I personally prefer to have my seeds as clean as possible. It isn't gonna hurt the seeds any if there is chaff as long as they are dried and stored well and are pest free.

Rodney

P.S. Having a few sieves of varying mesh size helps immensely in separating seeds from chaff.
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Michelle Robinson
Original Author
9 years ago
Harold! That sounds like a FABULOUS way! I have been good about laying them flat, but then I sit at the table and dig them out. LOL! This sounds much easier and better! Thank you so much!
harold100
9 years ago
You are certainly welcome. I know those things have sharp spikes and there is no need to break them apart. Purple coneflower seeds are expelled the very same way.
Marianna Kent
9 years ago
Lion's Tail also..
Richard Harbison
9 years ago
I'm new to seed exchanging but personally never considered chaff to be a problem. May not be as clean as commercial seeds but chaff is a natural part of the plant and putting it back in the ground seems like the best place for it. I wouldn't worry about it or spend forever on it.