The bracts close, the yellow ray flowers fall off - now the time has come and the distinctive fruits with their umbrellas are forming. As soon as the dandelion's bracts open again, the 'dandelions' become visible. What should you know about the seeds?
What do dandelion seeds look like and how do they spread?
Dandelion seeds are very small, brown to black-brown and elongated and narrow. They are decorated with a fine white thread and an umbrella that helps them fly in the wind and spread effectively. The seeds can remain viable for up to 10 years.
Lots of seeds that spread like lightning
If you have ever taken a closer look at a dandelion seed head, you may be able to guess what role the seeds play in the plant's reproduction. Each individual dandelion plant can produce up to 5,000 seeds per year. This high amount is only achieved if the plant has the chance to bloom several times. This is not uncommon
The seeds are detached from the seed head by wind or by touch from an animal or human. Thanks to the umbrellas, the seeds fly up and spread around the world. They often fly over hundreds of meters.
Remove dandelions - definitely before the seeds ripen
Dandelions are known to be annoying and difficult to get rid of weeds. It's not that easy to remove if you don't know what your best survival strategy is.
It's the numerous seeds. If the dandelion is removed while its seeds are ripening, the seeds immediately fly away and spread. They can remain viable for up to 10 years.
Seed ripening time
Dandelions can bloom several times during the season. This means there is a wide scope for the ripening time of the seeds. The first dandelion plants bloom at the beginning of April. The first seeds are ripe in May. Other dandelion plants only bloom in August and the seeds ripen during September.
Sow the seeds specifically
Do you want to sow the dandelions specifically? Then please note the following information:
- from March in the cold frame or at home
- outdoors from April
- 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 to a distance of 30 cm
External characteristics of seeds
The fruits of dandelions are so-called nuts. Behind each pericarp there is a single seed. The seeds with the cover have a perfect shape to be sown quickly and safely: they are pointed at the bottom. This means they can easily get stuck in the ground.
Here are more features:
- very small
- brown to black-brown
- long-narrow
- adhering is a fine white thread equipped with a little umbrella
- the seeds fly in the wind with the help of the umbrella
Tip
The seeds grow best in deep, humus-rich soils.
