Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project, Part III

Isatis tinctoria, Woad,

4 weeks, 2010.

Part III: True Leaves

The cotyledons are the initial life support for a seedling. Once the true leaves and roots are formed, seedlings become self- supporting. True leaves are the first leaves emerging immediately after the cotyledons. The primary function of leaves is photosynthesis. Derived from two Greek words, meaning “light” and “putting together”, leaves increase the surface area available to the plant so that it can absorb and collect light. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in most leaves and it is vital for photosynthesis, allowing the plant to absorb light and transforming it into food. Leaves make sugars and starches absorbed from carbon dioxide in the air and water, while the roots collect raw food nutrients and minerals from the soil. Leaves come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and they assist in identifying plant species. 

If you look at the Helianthus Hopi Dye Sunflower and the Polygonum tinctorium at 4 weeks you can still see the cotyledons at the base of the seedling plants. The dye plants being grown for my Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project are healthy and beautiful. The weeks marked for each photo are from the seed plant date, 23 March 2010.

Dahlia mixed species, 6 weeks, 2010.

Alcea rosea, Hollyhock, nigra cultivar,

4 weeks, 2010.

Reseda luteola, Weld,

6 weeks, 2010.

Tagetes patula, French Marigold,

3 weeks, 2010.

Polygonum tinctorium, Japanese Indigo,

4 weeks, 2010.

Polygonum tinctorium,

Japanese Indigo,

7 weeks, 2010.

Helianthus

Hopi Dye Sunflower,

4 weeks, 2010.

Rubia tinctoria, Madder,

4 weeks, 2010.

Rubia tinctoria, Madder,

6 weeks, 2010.