Will bird seed grow flowers?

Question

I am thinking of growing sunflowers, and was just reading online that some birdseed actually sprouts flowers when birds knock it onto the ground from the feeder, and i was wondering: If i buy birdseed that is only made up of sunflower seeds, will they grow into sunflower plants? Buying seeds to plant is more expensive than buying bird food, but isnt it the same thing? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Yes - it will work.  I've done it, and it's a cheap way to get some good sees.  And what's great is that it's always a surprise at what variety of flower grows.  Some are small, and some grow huge.

Answer 2

Yep it sure can it can also grow millet

infact it can grow several of the plants found in wild bird seed. They don't all produce flowers though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66941591@N0...

The birds frequently drop seeds that grow and I just let them and when they are ready to harvest I just cut down the stalks and hang them up for the birds.

Answer 3

Yeah, come look under my feeders.  Grrrrr.

It's an interesting thought if the seed isn't hybrid.  When hybrid seed crosses and then grows another generation, it isn't a pure stand. Instead it relates back to the vary different parentage that makes hybrid seed.  Still, you will have sunflowers and seed.

If you grow a mix you'll end up with a mish mash.  Millet grows like corn with the long broad leaves.  Safflower is a spiny little plant with yellow thistle like flowers.  Nyger is a bit more unusual and difficult to grow.   I'd give a back corner to your project just to see what happens since visually it may not be what you want, but it should be fun.  

Answer 4

Sunflowers can grown from the sunflower seed in the bird seed, I have seen this happen.  The rest just sprouts weed like plants. Safflower, wheat,groats etc.  I tried sunflower seeds from a pkg. didn't do so well, the ones I saw that were beautiful were from bird seed.  Some pet shops have bins that you can buy sunflower seeds, then you wouldn't need to much   Happy Planting and Good Luck!

Answer 5

it will grow what ever the seed came from