The chickweed reproduces by seeds and does so very successfully. A carpet of plants can emerge from a single plant in a very short space of time. If we want the wild herb in our garden, that is a blessing. Otherwise, laborious weeding awaits the gardener.
How does chickweed reproduce by seeds?
Chickweed reproduces through seed production, which occurs all year round. A single plant can produce up to 15 plants per year. Produce 000 seeds. The seeds can germinate for up to 60 years under optimal conditions and can germinate at temperatures around freezing point.
Seed production around the clock
Seeds develop from flowers. And flowers are almost always found on chickweed. Seed production therefore runs without a break.
- chickweed blooms all year round
- even on cold days of the year
- if there is no frost
This means that every plant can easily produce several generations within one year.
Significant amount of seeds
Reliable sources put the number of seeds produced by a single chickweed per year at up to 15,000! If only part of it germinates, this wild herb does not have to worry about its survival.
Flowers become seed pods
The life of every white, approximately 6 mm large flower leads to a capsule fruit. It contains the tiny seeds until they are fully ripe. Chickweed is a so-called self-disperser. It does not rely on the help of animals to successfully spread the seeds. The natural spread through wind and rain is enough for her.
Impressive germination ability
Chickweed seeds can germinate in the soil under optimal conditions for up to 60 years. This perhaps also explains why “weeds” sometimes grow out of the blue in the garden, of which years before there was no trace anywhere. If you spot chickweed in the garden and are determined to fight it, keep this fact in mind. So don't let the plants bloom in the first place.
The seeds of chickweed germinate at temperatures around freezing point.
Harvest your own seeds
If you spot chickweed in nature, you can easily harvest the ripe seed when the time comes. At home you can sow it in portions and look forward to a delicious chickweed salad. Cultivating chickweed is even possible on the windowsill.
Tip
Before harvesting the seeds, make sure that the plant is actually the edible chickweed and not the slightly poisonous field gauchheil.
Seeds from the trade
Chigweed is becoming increasingly popular, so retailers are getting involved and offering seeds (€5.00 on Amazon) for sale. The offer is partly aimed at bird owners. Chickweed didn't get this name for nothing. It is a popular food for chickens and other poultry.
The seed is not fed directly, but rather the greenery that grows from it. At room temperature, the seeds germinate after just 1-2 weeks. These home-grown plants are not reserved for budgies. People can eat them too.
2000 chickweed seeds cost about two euros.
