What kind of roots do dandelions have

The male reproductive system is the stamen. The taproot brings in water and minerals. It serves as a storage site for nutrients. This storage site allows for the dandelion to re-grow when the shoot system has been destroyed.

Hence, when weeding in the lawn the entire root must be taken out, otherwise the root can grow into a new dandelion. Root hairs extend from all of the dandelion roots. You may remove the plant temporarily, but it returns quickly within a few days or weeks, depending on environmental conditions. The best dandelion removal strategy requires soil cultivation to find all the root pieces.

For example, physically pulling the stem and foliage from the ground just leaves most of the root intact. Cut into the soil using a garden hoe to unearth all the roots below your original cutting point. Dandelions have brittle roots, making them well-adapted for reproduction through root pieces.

In addition, dandelions in the region may still send seeds your way. You must diligently remove each dandelion seedling as it appears to fully control the spread. Cutting dandelion roots disturbs the plant, especially if it already has a seed head.

Although you may remove most of the plant, their aggressive seeding strategy populates the area with hundreds of potential future dandelions. Being self-pollinating plants, the composite flower often turns into the signature, fluffy white seed head within a few days. These seeds fly along with prevailing winds using their umbrella-like hairs.

Longevity: Dandelion seeds are not long lived in the soil. Dormancy: The seed of dandelion are not dormant and can germinate immediately in the same year that they mature of the plant.

Dandelion captures space in forage crops and in no-till systems. It is not competitive for light but captures soil moisture and nutrients. Dandelion plants thrive on soils rich in nitrogen and potassium. It prefers soils low in calcium or where there is poor decay of organic matter.

Also, dandelion does not grow well on soils high in phosphorus. Tillage: Uprooting, chopping, and then burying the dandelion taproots will control the weed. This is why dandelions are seldom a problem in tilled cropping systems. Tillage must be deep enough to cut the root 4" below the crown and the soil surface. Rotary hoeing and cultivation: Both rotary hoeing and cultivation control seedling dandelions, but have little effect on those that are established.