That's pretty much it.
Let's say you start your annuals with seeds. They sprout, grow to maturity, and produce flowers all within a matter of months. The flowers get pollinated and produce seeds. Those seeds are dispersed and the following spring, sprout and grow.
With special care ... greenhouses, manipulation of day length, etc. ... the life of some annual species can be prolonged. Most often, however, the plants don't do very well. They produce stunted growth, fewer flowers, sometimes become woody and unattractive. The plants evolved to complete their life cycle in one growing season, and that's how they perform best.
Some plants that are grown as annuals in cooler climates are actually perennials native to tropical climates. If they are given appropriate growing conditions, they will perform as perennials.
Let's say you start your annuals with seeds. They sprout, grow to maturity, and produce flowers all within a matter of months. The flowers get pollinated and produce seeds. Those seeds are dispersed and the following spring, sprout and grow.
With special care ... greenhouses, manipulation of day length, etc. ... the life of some annual species can be prolonged. Most often, however, the plants don't do very well. They produce stunted growth, fewer flowers, sometimes become woody and unattractive. The plants evolved to complete their life cycle in one growing season, and that's how they perform best.
Some plants that are grown as annuals in cooler climates are actually perennials native to tropical climates. If they are given appropriate growing conditions, they will perform as perennials.
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- Greener Thumb
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