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

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  1. Question

    Sara Meadows

    Can the seeds be used to make food dye?

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Sara,
      Probably so, I actually am not familiar with the extraction process, although the fresh seeds sometimes turn my hands black.
      Richo

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    • Terrie

      How many ounces of seed does an average flower make?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Terrie, Maybe 6 ounces, if you can get them before the birds do. r

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  2. Question

    Sarah

    Are the seeds safe for chickens to eat?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      yes, the seeds are very good for any bird or animal

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  3. One person found this helpful

    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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  4. 2 out of 2 people found this helpful

    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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    • Admin Richo Cech

      Very nice. It is a little miracle. Richo

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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

      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

      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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