Sunflower, Hopi Black Dye (Helianthus annuus), packet of 30 seeds, organic
$2.95
Family: Aster (Asteracea)
Annual. 90-100 days to maturity.
(Hopi Black Dye Sunflower, Traditional Oil Sunflower) The plants are sturdy of stem, polyheaded, and consistently dark black of seed. The ray flowers are golden yellow. The seeds are used by Native Americans for dyeing wool and basketry. Imparts a color-fast light purple. Heirloom variety from Hopi Land, an oil, food, and dye plant that has its roots in ancient prehistory. One of the first domesticated plants, archaeological evidence points to the middle archaic period for the first human harboring of sunflower. The black seeded sunflowers are generally considered to be best for oil. We recommend direct-seeding in the spring. Plant a bit close at first, protect from crows, and eat the sprouts. Thin to 2 feet apart.
30 seeds/pkt, certified organically grown
In stock
Laura Meyer –
I have yet to make dye, but I was able to gather a good amount of seed despite a very wet and challenging season. The flowers themselves were delightful friends in the garden, towering above all non-winged creatures.
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Sarah Carson –
I made dye with vinegar and rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol works best over masticated seed hulls. I didn’t use it as a dye but an ink/ paint. I allowed it to evaporate down in the sun, then added honey and gum arabic to create a thickened paint. It worked really well. Good luck!
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Terrie –
How many ounces of seed does an average flower make?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Terrie, Maybe 6 ounces, if you can get them before the birds do. r
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Question
Sarah –
Are the seeds safe for chickens to eat?
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Richo Cech –
yes, the seeds are very good for any bird or animal
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Flowered in Kyoto, Japan
Kurou Suehisa (verified owner) –
It’s nice. Beautiful dark yellow. Grows robustly even in a small pot, but needs depth more than 20cm.
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Hopi Black Dye Sunflower in Kyoto, Japan
Suehisa Kurou (verified owner) –
This cultivar is nice to plant. Germinated well nearly 100% and grows robustly adapting to Japanese common soil. The photoed one became taller than 2m high even in a pot of 40cm diameter. Neither disease nor pest damage. Flower is beautiful dark yellow. I’m looking forward to dyeing my shirts with the seeds as Hopi People do.
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Rachel –
I’ll be making some oil with a manual oil press soon. I’m excited ! But removing the seeds from the seed heads is very tedious.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Rachel, I suppose there are 2 options. One is to grind the entire nut with shell and extract by boiling, which is the native way, the other is to purchase some equipment to shell the seeds and then use your oil press. Certainly you are right large amounts of seed would take forever to shell by hand. r
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Anon –
I assume the birds enjoy the dried seed heads like other sunflowers, yes?
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Richo Cech –
Yes, and if you want to keep some seeds for yourself, you can put a disposble hairnet over the seedhead when the inflorescence starts to fall away. r
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