How are dandelion seeds dispersed?
Dandelions disperse their seeds by wind. The flowers dandelions produce are yellow; after a period of time the petals fall, and a pure white fluffy ball grows on the receptacle. The seeds are obovate-lanceolate in shape, dark brown in color, and have white pappus. When a gust of wind blows, the seeds drift with the wind, like parachutes, floating far away. As soon as the wind stops, the seeds fall to the ground and take root and sprout in a new place.
How to plant dandelion seeds
1. Soil: It is best planted in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. Apply 2000-3500 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, mix in 15 kg of superphosphate, then plow the soil deep to 20-25 cm, level and harrow it fine, and make flat beds 1.2 m wide and 10 m long.
2. Sowing: It can be sown at any time from spring to autumn, and in winter it can be sown in a greenhouse. Before sowing, open shallow furrows in the bed, with a furrow spacing of 12 cm and a furrow width of 10 cm. Sow the seeds in the furrows, cover with 0.3-0.5 cm of soil after sowing, then cover with grass to keep warm. Seedlings can emerge in about 6 days; remove the covering grass when the seedlings emerge.
3. Field management
(1) Thinning and final thinning: Thin the seedlings 10 days after emergence, with a plant spacing of 3-5 cm; final thinning can be done after 20-30 days, with a plant spacing of 8-10 cm.
(2) Cultivation and weeding: The first cultivation and weeding can be done 10 days after emergence, and thereafter cultivate and weed once every 10 days until the rows close.
(3) Watering: After emergence, control moisture appropriately so the seedlings grow sturdy, preventing excessive growth and lodging; during the rapid leaf growth period, keep the field moist to promote vigorous leaf growth; before winter, water thoroughly once, then cover with horse manure or wheat straw, etc., to help it overwinter.
(4) Fertilizing: Apply topdressing 1-2 times during the growing period; after winter begins, spread 2500 kg of organic fertilizer and 20 kg of superphosphate per mu on the bed surface, and in the following spring after the plants turn green, apply 10-15 kg of urea and 8 kg of superphosphate per mu.
(5) Pests and diseases: Dandelions have very strong resistance to diseases and pests, so generally no pest and disease control is needed.