Planting carrots without seeds is possible because we are dealing with an asexual reproduction plant. That is, it does not require the formation of seeds to generate new individuals.
So, if you have carrots at home, you can quickly multiply them in your garden or directly in a pot. Let's see how to do it.
Propagation of carrots by roots
The carrot is a biannual plant which is part of the Apiaceae family and is cultivated for its edible root.
It is usually grown from seeds, but it is also possible to plant carrots without seeds. Because it can be partially regenerated from its root. But keep in mind that with this method we are not going to get complete plants.
The tuberous root and its regeneration
The edible part of the carrot is a primary root It stores large amounts of nutrients that are responsible for sustaining the growth of the plant during its second year, which is when it produces flowers and seeds.
The crown, which is the upper part of the root, from where the foliage emerges, contains meristemsThese tissues are capable of generating new leaves and stems if they are subjected to the appropriate conditions.
Regeneration process
If we plant a carrot root in the ground, we can get it sprout again from the crown.
The foliage will develop and we will see new leaves coming out of the meristems present in the crown. If the plant whose root we are using was in its second year of life, it could reach develop a flower stem, flower, and produce seeds.
What we are not going to get is a new edible root, because the original has already fulfilled its function of storing nutrients and is not regenerated.
Conditions for regeneration
For this process to be possible, very specific conditions must be met:
- The carrot must keep the crown, because without that piece of root it will not sprout.
- Requires a moist, well-drained soil, as well as receiving adequate light and being exposed to moderate temperatures.
Planting Seedless Carrots: Practical Applications
Since it does not always work and no new edible root is formed, root propagation of carrots is not very common. But it does have some uses:
- If the carrot that has been used was in its second year of life, it is possible get seeds that can be cultivated.
- It is a educational activity that helps children learn more about plant biology and the regenerative capacity of plants.
- Can be used for obtain foliage to feed the animals.
With carrots we cannot obtain a new edible root through seedless reproduction. However, this method is effective with other plants such as potatoes.
Practical tips for planting carrots
If you want to enjoy home-grown carrots that are good-sized and have a good flavor, apply these tips when working in your garden:
Choosing the carrot variety
Start by choosing a variety that is well adapted to the climatic conditions and type of soil where you live.
Long carrots like the Imperator or the Danvers are ideal for deep soils. While other short or round varieties such as the chantenay and parisian They are recommended for heavy or rocky soils, because they do not need as much depth to grow.
Soil preparation
Make sure the soil you are going to plant in is loose, well aerated and free of stones, so that the roots can grow without encountering obstacles in their path.
If you have heavy or clay soil, try mixing in some sand to improve drainage and texture.
Although it is not a bad idea to enrich the soil with nutrients, Do not overuse nitrogen-rich fertilizers, because these encourage foliage growth rather than root growth. It is better to choose fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium.
Another alternative is to use well-rotted compost to provide nutrients to the soil without increasing its acidity.
Siembra
Sowing carrots in temperate climates is carried out in early spring and early autumn, when temperatures range between 10º and 30º C.
These plants do not tolerate transplanting well because their roots are very sensitive, so it is best to place the seeds directly in their final place.
Sowing should be done at a depth of one centimeter, leaving between two and three centimeters between each seed.
Irrigation
To achieve proper development, keep the slightly moist soil, especially during the germination stage. If you are inconsistent with watering, you will end up with cracked or misshapen carrots.
But don't overwater, because if you do too much you may rot the roots.
If the soil has good drainage capacity, watering deeply once a week is usually more than sufficient.
Weed control.
Carrots grow slowly at first, which makes the presence of weeds a threat to them, as they consume their water and nutrients.
In these cases, it is advisable to have good weed control, weeding carefully so as not to damage the roots. You can also apply a organic mulch layer to reduce weed growth and help retain moisture in the soil.
Sun light
To grow well, carrots require between six and eight hours of light each dayHowever, if you live in an area with very warm temperatures, it is important that they have some shade in the afternoon so that the soil does not dry out too quickly.
Pruning and thinning
Thin out the seedlings when they are about five centimeters tall, thus leaving enough space for the roots to develop without competing with each other.
Also remove any leaves that are damaged or weak, so that the plant can focus its energy on growing its roots.
As you have seen, planting carrots without seeds is possible, but this will not provide you with new edible roots. The easiest way is to grow them in the traditional way.