basic plant biology question

[lamoncha lover]

I have a bad weed in my pasture. Plan on cutting before it goes to seed. In the stages of plant growth does the plant flower first and then drop seeds? thanks

[jassytoo]

Yep. The plant has flowers to attract pollinaters who fertilize. Then the seeds grow. Cutting them down while they are in flower will prevent seeds.

[CarolynRenee]

It may also depend on the weed. I remember there was a weed we had that would make / drop seeds after being cut as a "defense" against drought or damage.....of course, can't remember which it was.....maybe Velvet leaf??

[jassytoo]

They also might be the type of weeds that spread underground. Cut them down in one place and they send up shoots from the roots somewhere else.

[tinknal]

Depending on the plant you may need to cut it down more than once or dig up the roots.

[Pony]

If it's anything like thistle or burrdock, you'll probably want to keep on cutting it down and chopping it up.

Takes a couple or three years, but they'll eventually go away.

I just cut down a big but sneaky burrdock (REALLY sneaky - hiding in plain sight!) yesterday, just as it started to flower. Fed the huge 5' tall weed to the goats, who were SO happy to have it.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just like humans, dogs, cats, and goats, a plant's reproductive system must be fertilized at the right time to make seeds.

The flower is the equivalent of 'going into heat' or ovulating. Bees bring pollen from other flowers which is the equivalent of sperm.

After the flower is fertilized, it forms seeds which equal children, puppies, goat kids, etc.

As mentioned above, some plants also reproduce via their root systems, and some (like the McCartney Rose) will root from cuttings, so when you bush hog it, you are spreading it.