The FAQ distinguishes between bees and wasps, but it doesn't say whether or not we should record wasps that visit our flowers. The sunflowers you sent us are extremely tall; mine have passed the 1 story mark. I'm 5'2". On a practical level, it is impossible for me to get a positive ID on every insect that visits the flowers. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the bees that visit me are native bees that don't show up on the dropdown menu even if I do know the variety. One variety is extremely small: ~3mm long. I've narrowed it down to several possible wasp species and a smaller number of possible bee species. So, it might be a bee, but it might not be. Your FAQ says I could tell them apart, if only I had a microscope. That doesn't mesh with the study design. So, should I be recording every possible bee that visits the flowers, even if it means accidentally recording a wasp? Or should I ignore insects that look bee-like that visit flowers if I can't positively identify them as bees? Or should I be more selective, and only note bees from the varieties you are tracking?
I planted my seed May 16. We have had a mix of rain and sun since, but no little seedlings! I had the area partially covered with wire to keep birds out. Local nursery doesn't have lemon queen seeds. I'll keep looking locally, but if you send me more, I will try again.
bpolt fellow observer
I do not see any answer to your request. I looked up "our" sunflower so as to offer an answer to someone who had many sunflowers, not all of the same kind, and wanted more info so as to ID the correct ones.
In doing so I found some sites where you can buy seeds. (They are inexpensive.) I planted my seeds June 20. They are from what I think was the final mailing for this study. Still, you might want to try. They do grow fast.
If you order seeds do be sure of the variety. There is a "Lemon Queen" PERENNIAL also. We are to use the ANNUAL variety. Here is the information:
Helianthus Annuus
Are the sun flower seeds treated with bug killer, can you eat them , What happens to a person who does and what color is the seeds? Germany and France have banned most of our meat and seeds because of treatments.. Ron Hampton
bpolt
The seeds from your "Lemon Yellow" annual won't be poisonous unless YOU spray bug-killer on them! BUT I have no idea whether only squirrels and birds can eat them (they very likely will!) or whether they would be OK for us human beings to eat. The commercial sunflowers for oil and seeds are different--very much larger. And perhaps they are roasted. (I am ignorant about this.)
Comments
Bees vs. Wasps
The FAQ distinguishes between bees and wasps, but it doesn't say whether or not we should record wasps that visit our flowers. The sunflowers you sent us are extremely tall; mine have passed the 1 story mark. I'm 5'2". On a practical level, it is impossible for me to get a positive ID on every insect that visits the flowers. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the bees that visit me are native bees that don't show up on the dropdown menu even if I do know the variety. One variety is extremely small: ~3mm long. I've narrowed it down to several possible wasp species and a smaller number of possible bee species. So, it might be a bee, but it might not be. Your FAQ says I could tell them apart, if only I had a microscope. That doesn't mesh with the study design. So, should I be recording every possible bee that visits the flowers, even if it means accidentally recording a wasp? Or should I ignore insects that look bee-like that visit flowers if I can't positively identify them as bees? Or should I be more selective, and only note bees from the varieties you are tracking?
germination
I planted my seed May 16. We have had a mix of rain and sun since, but no little seedlings! I had the area partially covered with wire to keep birds out. Local nursery doesn't have lemon queen seeds. I'll keep looking locally, but if you send me more, I will try again.
Anthony Gordon
2120 NW Lewisburg Av Corvallis Or
send more
bpolt fellow observer
I do not see any answer to your request. I looked up "our" sunflower so as to offer an answer to someone who had many sunflowers, not all of the same kind, and wanted more info so as to ID the correct ones.
In doing so I found some sites where you can buy seeds. (They are inexpensive.) I planted my seeds June 20. They are from what I think was the final mailing for this study. Still, you might want to try. They do grow fast.
If you order seeds do be sure of the variety. There is a "Lemon Queen" PERENNIAL also. We are to use the ANNUAL variety. Here is the information:
Helianthus Annuus
www.outsidepride.com/catalog/Sunflower-Lemon-Queen-Flower-Seed-p-16473.h...
“Our” flowers at top of page. some other sunflowers at bottom. Click on “wild” sunflower to enlarge the small piucture and you will see that it is the same as “ours”---Helianthus Annuus
http://www.yankeegardener.com/seeds/hartseed21.html
Scroll down for pictures of many types of sunflowers, including “Lemon Queen”. (Click for larger image.)
Seeds treated with insecetacide
Are the sun flower seeds treated with bug killer, can you eat them , What happens to a person who does and what color is the seeds? Germany and France have banned most of our meat and seeds because of treatments.. Ron Hampton
Edible?
bpolt
The seeds from your "Lemon Yellow" annual won't be poisonous unless YOU spray bug-killer on them! BUT I have no idea whether only squirrels and birds can eat them (they very likely will!) or whether they would be OK for us human beings to eat. The commercial sunflowers for oil and seeds are different--very much larger. And perhaps they are roasted. (I am ignorant about this.)