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The First Step: Seeds
Seeds can be spread by animals, wind or can simply fall out of the original plant. -
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The Cycle of Flowering Seeds
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Germination: The Right Conditions
Once a seed has landed where it's going to grow, it needs the proper conditions in order to germinate (begin to grow). Seeds need the proper amount of sunlight, water and air. -
Germination: Roots
After being in the soil for a few days the seed will absorb enough water to make the seed coat split and the embryo's (baby plant) roots will begin to grow. Growing roots allows the plant to get more water. -
Growth: Sprouting
As the plant absorbs more water, the roots will push downwards and the stem will push upwards through the soil. -
Growth: Leaves
Once the stem has pushed through the soil, leaves will begin to grow on either side of the stem. -
Growth: Photosynthesis
In order to complete the growth phase, the plant must make it's own food. This process is called photosynthesis and it begins as soon as the leaves sprout. -
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is completed by the chloroplasts in the plant's leaves converting sunlight into food. During photosynthesis the plant's stem will continue to grow taller and closer to the sun. The stem will pass food from the leaves to the roots. -
Growth: Flowers
After the plant has produced enough food through photosynthesis, more leaves will grow, as well as flower buds. -
Flowers
After a few more days, and more food, the flower buds will develop into flowers with petals. -
Pollination
After the flowers have developed, bees and other insects will pollinate them by having the pollen produced in the flowers stick to their legs and wings as they fly to different plants. Wind can also help in pollinating plants by blowing pollen from one plant onto another. -
New Seeds
Once the plants are pollinated by bees or wind, new seeds will be produced. -
Spreading Seeds
Once the new seeds have been produced, the new seeds can be spread by animals, wind, or humans. Once the seeds are spread though, the cycle begins again.
