Commercial sunflowers = no pollen

[Animator]

I have a farm nearby that grows sunflowers. He uses commercial (genetically altered) seeds. The plants supposedly have no pollen.  Anyone ever run into this situation ?   Any thoughts appreciated.

[asprince]

I hope the farmers in my area do not start using that variety. I presently have bees on sunflowers and they are hauling in lots of pollen and nectar. 

Look here for pictures that I posted today.

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,24794.msg194119.html#msg194119



Steve

[Animator]

I know.  Sunflower honey is good.   Will have to wait and see.

[Shawn]

Just made a delivery into Kansas last week and saw about 30 hives sitting on the side of a huge sunflower field. Wonder how those are doing? I noticed that at the store when just trying to buy seeds for around the house some say "pollen free", some are good for eating, others are not good for eating. I believe in the garden section someone said you have to make sure when planting you get nonhybrid flowers beause the hybrids are not producing pollen. Maybe Im worng, Ill look for the post.

[Cindi]

There are hybrid sunflowers that produce pollen.  There is open pollinated sunflowers that produce pollen.  There are hybrid sunflowers that do not produce pollen.  When I have purchased seed for myself in past years, many years ago, I ensured that when I purchased the seed that I chose the cultivar that produced pollen.  There are some very beautiful sunflowers that do not produce pollen, but produce the most beautiful flowers.  Personally, I would always chose pollen varieties.  That is too bad that many grow "pollen free" sunflowers for sure.  Have that most wonderful and awesome day, health and life.  Cindi

[Animator]

The farmer said he only uses nonpollen sunflowers.   Hmmmm
thanks everyone for the help.
Mike