Does a seed immediately stop maturing when the plant is pulled?
 

I am trying to eliminate Torilis arvensis, False hedge-nettle from our
property by pulling the plants.

I would assume that seed development would stop as soon as the plant
has been pulled and it would be safe to drop the plant on the ground
without fear of any immature seeds germinating. Correct?

The plant is in the flowering stage now.

Thanks,
Mac

Does a seed immediately stop maturing when the plant is pulled?
 

"McPop" wrote in message
...
I am trying to eliminate Torilis arvensis, False hedge-nettle from our
property by pulling the plants.

I would assume that seed development would stop as soon as the plant
has been pulled and it would be safe to drop the plant on the ground
without fear of any immature seeds germinating. Correct?

The plant is in the flowering stage now.

Actually No. Most weeds have an ability to reproduce even after being dug
up, pulled, or sprayed and especially if flowering at the time. That is one
reason why farmers do their hoeing while the weeds are in the seedling
stage. If flowering, they will, most often, still make mature seeds. That
is one reason why they are considered weeds. Next season destroy them while
they are still in the seedling stage.

Chuck

Thanks,
Mac

Does a seed immediately stop maturing when the plant is pulled?
 

Not necessarily.

A coconut, for example, will continue the maturation process for a long time
after it has been picked.


"McPop" wrote in message
...
I am trying to eliminate Torilis arvensis, False hedge-nettle from our
property by pulling the plants.

I would assume that seed development would stop as soon as the plant
has been pulled and it would be safe to drop the plant on the ground
without fear of any immature seeds germinating. Correct?

The plant is in the flowering stage now.

Thanks,
Mac

Does a seed immediately stop maturing when the plant is pulled?
 

I would assume that seed development would stop as soon as the plant
has been pulled and it would be safe to drop the plant on the ground
without fear of any immature seeds germinating. Correct?

If it is a pernicious weed, the seeds will probably continue to develop. I
would get the plants out of there as soon as possible.

Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

Does a seed immediately stop maturing when the plant is pulled?
 

On Tue, 01 Jun 2004 10:40:54 -0700, McPop wrote:
has been pulled and it would be safe to drop the plant on the ground
without fear of any immature seeds germinating. Correct?

Nope. Don't know about this particular plant in specific, but young
seeds can be viable, and older seeds, before they are completely
mature, may germinate immediately in the proper conditions, totally
bypassing dormancy that the mature seeds may have.

If it's truly just beginning to flower, you're probably ok. But
it's safest to collect the weeds up and compost them or dry them to
smithereens on a hot, sunny sidewalk or driveway before disposing of
them.