Mustard Seed Growth Stages [better] Review
The transition from vegetative vigor to reproduction is signaled by (bolting). Triggered by photoperiod (day length) and temperature, the plant’s apical meristem shifts from producing leaves to producing flowers. The central stem elongates rapidly, sometimes exceeding a meter in height, and branches to form a terminal raceme. Bright yellow, four-petaled flowers (the hallmark of the mustard family) open from the bottom of the raceme upward, creating a golden field. While visually stunning, this stage is a biological race against time. Mustard is largely self-pollinating, but insects, especially bees, are attracted to the nectar and can increase cross-pollination and yield. Each flower remains open for only a day or two. Successful pollination leads to the withering of the petals, revealing a tiny, green, bead-like structure at the flower’s base—the nascent silique, or seed pod.
Once the cotyledons fully expand, the plant begins its first true photosynthesis. During this stage, the plant is vulnerable to pests and requires consistent moisture. 2 to 3 weeks. mustard seed growth stages