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Here are a couple of pics of my sunflowers in my dove field. I planted them in mid May and got 1/2" of rain on them the day I planted. Then no rain for 24 days. Since then, I have had a good many afternoon showers and they seem to be doing pretty good. But, my question is will they be ready by opening day of dove season (Sept 3 here in Ga)? This is my only second time planting them and really don't know how long it takes them to dry once the seeds start forming. Any input is appreciated and thanks.

In my experience, about 6 weeks after they look like your pics, they will be ready to mow. Dryer or wetter conditions will speed up or slow down the time it takes for plant to dry. Mine are typically in full bloom right around July 4th.

Thanks and that's about what I figured. I know they are little late so I may wait on shooting them opening day.
I'm just happy I have some growing. Seems to be a lot of dove around this year.

What about these wingman??


7.23.11




7.30.11 (sunflowers are starting to lay over and lose petals)

My heads are turned down but stalk and leaves are green. Doves are feeding on the seeds the blackbirds are pulling out of the heads. I like to mow them when everything is brown a "cripsy", because the heads shatter better, but the birds will be in them before that.

Wingman, do you spray before you mow? Mine have got some weeds now with all the rains. Thinking of spraying gramoxone or round-up, then trying to burn. What say you?

If it's bad I do. Mine are still clean but things change quickly after the sunflowers die and let light through to the ground.

mine are turn down with very little green left in them. doves are killing them as we speak. bad news is ill be at work for the first weekend.

put out some sodium chlorate at 1/2 gal and 32 oz gramoxone with .25% 80/20. Do this about a week before season or just replace the gramoxone with roundup. The weeds killed by gramoxone wont stay dead to long. Could also add a little aim.

We sprayed ours for the second time yesterday using round-up and aim. We got a good bit of rain after the first spraying and the grass grew like mad.

To answer my own question that I posted originally, yes they are ready. I have not had much rain here in Ga and they have dried out good. The main problem I have had is with the black birds and these little, bright yellow birds, I guess finches, tearing them up. The seeds are smaller than I hoped they would be, but the dove are all over them as well. I am mowing them today to put the remaining seed on the ground, which isn't much. I just hope the dove stay until the weekend because I have a good bit of competition around me with other fields. Good luck to everyone this weekend.

We are ready here too!