The actual flower does it the best, really
mother nature provided them with the perfect ability to dry their own...
(I personally don't cut them off early)

But I wouldddddddddd suggest if you leave them on
to cover them *at least the head or two you specifically want to save* with some cheese cloth or tulle fabric.. that way air can still get in for the drying process but those weeeee~birdies' that lovvvvvvvvve to eat those seeds can't get at them....

*I grow sunflowers specically for the birds to eat and they just go like mad~men on them striping them clean.. but it's soooooo much fun for me and the boys to stand and watch*

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

I do the same thing, but the funny thing is,
that in the feeding frenzy that the birds do,
they manage to drop a bunch of seeds, and I had 14 "volunteer" sunflowers this year from my "assorted colors" sunflower package...
So, I can't complain, got great flowers, had an awesome time watching those little birds eat and gather seeds anddddddddddd bonus volunteer plants the following year with no work in planting..

but it is fun to save those seeds too to ensure you get the same flowers the next year and the satifaction of knowing you grew them and saved and dried them annnnndddddd replanted them the next year too!!!

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

I was just looking up some info on this. This was helpful http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hortihints/0108c.html

Looks like mine have a ways to go, they are downturned, but the seeds are still white and the backs of the flowers are still green. Now, if I can just remember to put cheesecloth on my shopping list!