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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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