How to plant dandelion seeds? Detailed explanation of sowing methods
Dandelion is a common wild weed found along roadsides in rural fields. The fresh plant can be eaten as a wild vegetable. After the plant matures, the seeds grow fluffy pappus and spread everywhere with the wind, after which the seeds take root and sprout again. Artificial cultivation requires collecting mature seeds, then sowing them after processing to grow new plants, so seed collection is also an important part of growing dandelions from seed. Follow along as I explain the process of growing dandelions from seed.
1. Collecting seeds
Seeds are initially obtained by collecting from wild plants, and after that cultivated seeds can be obtained through artificial cultivation. So in fact, you can directly pick the seeds of wild dandelions in autumn and grow them. When the seeds mature and grow into a round crown-shaped fluffy ball, collect them quickly before they scatter. After collecting, soak and wash off the pappus, then dry them in a shady place. After drying, seal them up and wait until spring to sow.
2. Preparing for seedling raising
Before raising seedlings, prepare seedling containers. If growing just a small amount in pots, you can use them directly, raising seedlings in seedling pots and sowing a small amount, then cultivating them directly after they emerge. But for large-scale planting, prepare seedling trays or seedling pots made from small plastic bags. The seedling soil should be mixed well; you can use sand, humus soil, wood shavings and pine needles together. To grow them in a greenhouse, prepare a spray bottle and a shade net.
3. Seed treatment
The seeds are quite small with a thin seed coat and sprout easily, but for large-scale sowing, you can appropriately pre-sprout them so they sprout uniformly. Before sowing, the seeds must be disinfected to avoid the seeds carrying pathogens. When sowing in spring, the pre-sprouting time is short; simply soak them in warm water until the seeds have absorbed enough water. Before sowing, spray the seeds with a carbendazim solution to disinfect them. Finally, they can be sown. For direct sowing, sow 2 to 3 seeds per hole, cover with soil, and water.
4. Sowing and care
After sowing, wait for sprouting. Generally, they sprout uniformly in about a week. Before sprouting, pay attention to watering to keep moisture, so as to ensure uniform sprouting. Note that they should be placed in a greenhouse with reduced light, not direct strong sunlight; some scattered light can meet their growth needs. After sprouting, reduce watering, otherwise the new sprouts may rot; let them get some light to promote chlorophyll growth. When they grow into small seedlings, you can apply some dilute fertilizer water to promote the growth of the seedlings.
Growing dandelions from seed, from collecting seeds to treatment, sowing and seedling care, the process is mainly like this. If you are growing a small amount of dandelions, you can completely sow them directly, with no major impact. They will still grow well.