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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 11, 2021 22:55:07 GMT -5
One early spring morning, I looked outside my window to a landscape littered with yellow flowers. Dandelions, I thought, appreciated by those who enjoy wildlife and pollinators, and hated by those who want their perfectly green, equally trimmed, chemical-filled lawn. At that moment, I was struck by inspiration - what would happen if I removed the dandelion's competition and gave it more nutrients than it ever had? How big would it get? Would it develop more than one flower? Today marks the beginning of my quest to find the answer. I have filled a bottle with 2/3 nutrient solution (AG nutes at 5ml/gal) and 1/3 pure RO water, and placed a dandelion seedling on top.  |
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Mar 12, 2021 4:29:55 GMT -5
LOL As a home owner, those yellow flowers drive me crazy. When I see them I get my plucker out and remove them from the root.
We used to have so many but over the years I got 98% and now only a couple will pop us from time to time from the seeds wondering and blowing in the wind.
Now as a kid, I loved them and also blowing the penny wishers in the air.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 12, 2021 11:00:27 GMT -5
I am one of those weird foragers who adores dandelions. I also think their flowers are exquisite.
Since we live in the woods, I cherish my dandelions!
I bought some pink dandelion seeds from Baker Creek last year, but have not yet planted them. They are a lot less aggressive than the yellow ones, and are supposed to be well behaved.
It will be interesting to see how yours do, ERR0R1755.
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 12, 2021 13:03:17 GMT -5
I understand they are pretty & tasty in a salad...  |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
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Post by maskedsonnet on Mar 12, 2021 13:17:33 GMT -5
The starter wine making book my parents gave me for Christmas has a recipe for dandelion wine, which I’m super curious to try but far too lazy to attempt, it was very labor-intensive. Be cool to see how dandelion grows indoors!
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 12, 2021 13:59:31 GMT -5
campingcorgis and maskedsonnet, i haven't made dandelion wine. But I have sauteed the young greens (which were not bitter, and very good) and made coffee from the roots. I am not crazy about the leaves raw. I roasted the roots in a 250 degree oven for 5 hours (I think. It could have been 200.) Anyway, it was a nice dark roast, which is what I like. You can't use a drip coffeemaker. You will get a weak tea. So I simmered a pot of water and put the ground roots (in a coffee filter) into a large sieve and lowered it into the water until it was the strength I like. It rivaled (or surpassed) the best coffee I have ever tasted. Dark, smooth, full bodied, rich, with subtle chocolate undertones! I must have accidentally roasted it just right. No caffeine, though. But very healthy!
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Mar 12, 2021 14:04:42 GMT -5
That does sound delicious, I love coffee! And without the caffeine I bet it’s fine to have before bed without keeping you up all night!
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 12, 2021 14:22:24 GMT -5
Hmmm the coffee sounds interesting...and yet, I must admit we are super spoiled on coffee! We explore local roasters, where ever we travel. But we make coffee, one cup at a time, in a Jura. We switched, as "old" coffee gives Mikey (more) gut issues.
I might try the dandelion coffee!!!
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 14, 2021 15:05:47 GMT -5
The first true leaf is starting to come in!  |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 21, 2021 21:58:35 GMT -5
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 22, 2021 1:41:08 GMT -5
Cool!
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 28, 2021 13:04:31 GMT -5
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Mar 28, 2021 13:55:16 GMT -5
It does look like the common dandelion
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 28, 2021 14:09:34 GMT -5
I'm surprised it's doing so well. Dandelions are said to be difficult to grow outside of their native habitat. Nice surprise!
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 3, 2021 20:08:11 GMT -5
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 3, 2021 23:05:32 GMT -5
I am so happy to see it thriving!
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 11, 2021 20:47:34 GMT -5
I took a look at the roots for the first time since I planted it, and apparently the taproot got stuck in the top piece, so it never reached down into the nutrient solution. I'm not sure if that will have any effect on the growth.  |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 11, 2021 21:47:36 GMT -5
The fibrous roots should provide enough nutrients to keep it alive. The taproot is mainly to dig deeper for nutrients and store food for the plant for the winter.
At least that's my guess -- just speculating.
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 18, 2021 21:36:30 GMT -5
This one seems like it won't be making it. Maybe the temperatures are too high for it now?  |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 24, 2021 21:01:50 GMT -5
I ended this today - it didn't look like it was getting any better.
Oh well. If I try this again, I think I'll use a net pot with an open bottom to allow the taproot to grow.
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