What is Sunflower Project?

[texas butterfly]

Saw in another posting something about a Sunflower Project.

Does anyone have more details?

Thanks,

[Mona Miller]

It's a pollinator count project--a bee thing.

http://reneesgardenseeds.blogspot.com/2 ... oject.html
Renee's garden has a good blog with info.

[texas butterfly]

I plant sunflowers anyway, so it sounds like it is a good thing for the bees.

I just planted some sunflowers in butterfly garden and they are just coming up.

I also plant sunflowers since the hummingbirds like to sit on them.

[drexel.n@gmail]

greatsunflower.org

We're planting Lemon Queen sunflower seeds (the annual) and once they bloom, we count how long it takes to see 5 honeybees - with a 1/2 hour max and submit the results to their website. They mail out the seeds; however, I also found them at Target. I didn't receive the project's seeds until early June. My purchased ones are over 5 feet tall now. The ones I received from the project are still seedlings, which should work out fine to make the blooms last throughout the summer. I may start some more in a week or so. It's been a fun project so far. They also have affiliated with the national phenology network (usanpn.org) as has MonarchWatch, so it all comes together. =)

Is it sad that I get a lot of joy out of being a "citizen scientist"? I'm also raising tadpoles! Oy!

Nancy
Cincinnati, Ohio
WS3037

[Mona Miller]

Not sad at all. The world needs more of us "citizen scientists". The more eyes you have on the world, the better to see how the world is behaving. I can tell you one thing. The number of pollinators on my lavender is way down.

[texas butterfly]

Awesome about the sunflower project.

I'll have to get some lemon sunflowers. I'm just planting the Mammoth ones so far. They grow fast and the hummers like them for sitting posts. So, I just leave the stalks after the sunflower has bloomed.

Everything to help the little pollinators.

Yes, citizen scientists are a very valuable asset to the professional scientists.

We as citizen's can pick and choose our projects to maximize our fun and our impact.

Check out if your state has a Naturalist program. They usually will have training and additional volunteer and training opportunities. I think 18 states have this program.