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Dear All, May 25, 2015
I noticed some years ago that Dandelion scapes, at anthesis, are shorter
in fall and tentatively attributed this to an effect of cold.
This year I realized that it is not an exclusive response to cooler
temperatures.
Scape length of plants along a path exposed to foot traffic when the
soil was still wet and subject to compaction is very short (2-3 cm)
suggesting a reaction to poor aeration. Scape length in adjacent areas with
no or moderate foot traffic is normal (19-22 cm) and very long (35-40 cm) on
a pile of loose earth with scant competition and no traffic. But in a small
area of light soil (good aeration and very poor water and nutrient holding
capacity) length is somewhat short (8-10 cm).
So scape length may be a reflection of growth condition adequacy. And
Dandelions are thus desirable in lawns as indicaters of marginal conditions
such as compaction or excessively light soil (chinch bug prone) in addition
to serving as food plants for many insects.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
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