A flowering plant’s life fascinates Chicago gardeners. They especially enjoy seeing flowering plants thriving in their gardens.
The process of coming to life is called germination. Seeds from parent plants are dispersed throughout an environment. When water, light and warmth enrich that environment, these seeds are roused into life. Within a few days, seed leaves pop out of the soil. If there is one leaf, the plant is called a monocotyledon. If two leaves appear, the plant is called a dicotyledon. Below the soil, either one taproot or a ball of roots begins to grow and spread. The seedling is growing briskly to gather the sun’s energy to begin photosynthesis.
During the growth stage, leaves grow in size and quantity and store food for the plant. Beneath the ground, roots are also growing. Roots sent water and minerals through the plant’s vascular system.
At maturity, its leaf growth slows, and the plant produces flowers. These flowers contain the organs necessary for reproduction. Monoecious plants have male and female flowers on the same plant. Bisexual plants (hermaphrodite) plants have male and female organs in each flower. Dioecious plants are either male plants or female plants, and both are necessary for fertilization.
In the flowering stage, the plant’s stored food, water and mineral resources are concentrated on flowering and reproduction. At this time, Chicago gardeners may want to provide additional plant food to keep their plants healthy.
At the seed formation stage, fruit develops from fertilized flowers. This fruit contains seeds, and when it’s ripe, the seeds disperse. The parent plants usually remain alive to produce more flowers.
Then the flowering plant’s life cycle begins again.
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Meet Chicago gardeners at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, beginning this weekend at Navy Pier.
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