Inconsistency from same Seed Packet - Ask Extension
Purchased a seed packet at the Arboretum this past spring. Sunflowers that were suppose to be 3 ft tall.
Some are 3 ft, some are 5 ft and some are ...
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Inconsistency from same Seed Packet #943727
Asked August 29, 2026, 2:26 PM EDT
Purchased a seed packet at the Arboretum this past spring. Sunflowers that were suppose to be 3 ft tall.
Some are 3 ft, some are 5 ft and some are 10 ft tall. My friend bought the same packet, same result. One of the3 ft plants has a bloom that looks more like a celosia type flower, no sunflowers at all. My neighbor is wondering if she can save the seed from the shorter plants and what she might get from that seed, same inconsistency?
Guessing the seed got mixed up somehow? Or how would this happen ?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, I can’t provide a good explanation for your experience with the seeds. It does seem as if you received a mixture of sunflower seeds having different genetic backgrounds. I would suggest that you contact directly the Arboretum and ask them where they obtained these seeds.
If you still have the seed packets for these seeds, please take some pictures of both sides of the packet and send to us. If you can do that, I may be able to assist you further.
Thanks for using our forum.
