The bracts close, the yellow ray florets fall off - now the time has come and the striking fruits with their little umbrellas are formed. As soon as the bracts of the dandelion open again, the 'dandelions' become visible. What should you know about the seeds?

Thanks to its flying seeds, the dandelion multiplies immensely

Heaps of seeds that spread like wildfire

If you have already taken a closer look at such a dandelion seed head, you can perhaps guess what role the seeds play in the reproduction of the plant. Each single dandelion plant can produce up to 5,000 seeds per year. This high amount is only reached when the plant has a chance to flower multiple times. This is not uncommon…

The seeds are detached from the seed head by wind or by being touched by an animal or human. Thanks to the umbrellas, the seeds fly up and are distributed throughout the world. They often fly over hundreds of meters.

Remove dandelions - absolutely before seed ripening

Dandelion is known to be an annoying weed that is difficult to get rid of. He's not that easy to remove unless you know what his best survival strategy is.

It's the numerous seeds. If the dandelion is removed while the seeds are ripe, the seeds fly away immediately and spread. They can remain viable for up to 10 years.

ripening time of the seeds

The dandelion can bloom several times during the season. Thus, there is a wide latitude for the ripening time of the seeds. The first dandelion plants bloom in early April. The first seeds are ripe in May. Other dandelion plants do not flower until August and the seeds ripen during September.

Sow the seeds in a targeted manner

Do you want to sow the dandelions in a targeted manner? Then please note the following:

  • from March in the cold frame or at home
  • from April outdoors
  • until September
  • Sow seeds 2 cm deep
  • keep moist
  • Germination temperature (soil temperature): 15 to 18 °C
  • Germination time: 21 to 25 days
  • later separate at a distance of 30 cm

External characteristics of the seeds

The fruits of the dandelion are so-called nut fruits. Behind each pericarp is a single seed. The seeds with the shell have a perfect shape to be sown quickly and safely: they are pointed at the bottom. This allows them to get stuck in the ground.

Here are more features:

  • tiny
  • brown to black-brown
  • elongated-narrow
  • attached is a fine white thread, which is fitted with a little umbrella
  • with the help of the umbrella the seeds fly in the wind

tips

The seeds grow best in deep, humus-rich soil.

Category:

Herbs