Sunflower Hybrids

Jax4ever Boxford, MA(Zone 6a) Oct 24, 2006

Hi all!
I grew some beautiful hybrid sunflowers this year. Mainly they were the "Chianti" hybrid- the rosy tinted ones. (I also had a few more classic types in the mix). My question: if I collect the seed, will Chianti types produce true to the cultivar, be sterile, or produce some thing else entirely?

I know the answer is to "wait and see", and I will do that in the spring, but I was hoping to pass some on to gardening friends this year in my Christmas cards. These were a manageble, multi-headed flower with lovely colors, and I'd like to share.

Thanks!
Melissa

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Oct 24, 2006

They won't be exactly like your flowers. Some will resemble them, but others will be something else entirely. When planting seeds from hybrids, it's like rolling dice...you won't know what you have till they bloom. If they make seeds, then they aren't sterile, but you'll get all of the genetic material shuffled around again each season.

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Agrinerd Franklin, NC(Zone 6b) Nov 04, 2006

They cross pollinate as well, so you could get quite an interesting mix.

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