Last week, we discussed the different activities a gardener may perform, and the changes that dying plants may come across, in between the two plant growing seasons. We also discussed the bolting phenomenon, which is a cornerstone of the end of the previous life cycle of the plant.

Incidentally, bolting also carries the seeds as the final product, which — when grown during favourable conditions — signifies the beginning of the new cycle. The term bolting implies that the plant is ‘going to seed.’ Hence, the bolting of a plant becomes mandatory to hold on to the continuity and survival of the plant through generations.

Bolting refers to a unique development almost at the end of the plant life cycle. There are a few indications that point towards the beginning of the bolting phase. One of the initial signs that the plant may have started to bolt are subtle changes in the taste of the harvested greens. The leaves of the lettuce or spinach may begin to have a mildly bitter aftertaste at the beginning of this phase. With the passage of time, it gradually becomes almost inedible.

Not only does the taste change, the production of the harvest also begins to slow down progressively. There is a marked reduction in the speed of the growth of the produce and vegetation. Sometimes the shape, size or texture of the produce is also inhibited.

Bolting is a natural process in the plant life cycle, but it can be brought on earlier than usual because of environmental factors

While the plant begins to reduce in size, shape, growth, vegetation, flavour and taste, there is a certain growth of a hardened stout and a relatively long stem from the centre of the plant. This stem contains flowers at the top, which will eventually contain the seeds at the end of the bolting phase.

The growth of this woody stem is concurrently timed with the beginning of the dying phase for the rest of the plant. These seeds should be kept aside in a cool, dry place till the arrival of favourable conditions, at which point they can be used to grow the next generation of the same plant.

Certain common causes of a plant bolting are a change in the environmental conditions. Extreme weather changes are one of these factors, as the plant tries to survive and defend itself from the eventual shock stage that it is experiencing during these fluctuations.

When the mercury drops down beyond the expected range, it may push underground plants such as carrots, radishes and beetroots to bolt and produce the seeds much earlier. As the city sizzles, animals and plants also face the wrath of the unwanted weather. During this phase, green, leafy plants, such as lettuce and spinach, eventually grow a stem that no gardener wants to see so early. Hot weather signals the end of such leafy plants, by the plants prematurely starting their bolting phase.

The role of precipitation is also a key factor in the plant life cycle. Too much dryness, especially in the areas hit by a drought, can be a triggering factor for a plant to induce bolting. In many plants, changes in light level exposure may also be a cause of concern. Whether the plant needs direct sunlight or indirect sunlight, and regardless of the required duration of the plant light exposure, reduction of light exposure beyond the minimum threshold can certainly cause the plant to bolt earlier.

The overcrowding of plants, or growing more plants nearby, can also result in bolting. As different plants occupy the land, absorbing the available nutrients and hogging the sunlight, there is a high probability that a plant might bolt in this environment much earlier.

Finally, ageing, or the natural plant life cycle completion, is the physiological and normal way of entering the bolting phase. Even if all the above mentioned factors are taken care of, a plant will bolt when it reaches a certain age or size.

Bolting is a natural gardening process. Eventually, every plant needs to bolt as it has to produce seeds. It only becomes a cause of concern if it occurs before the end of harvesting season, due to unaccounted for environmental factors. No matter how much a gardener may dislike bolting, especially if it sets in earlier than anticipated, it cannot be stopped.

Bolting, however, can be delayed by adopting different timely steps. In our next article, we will see how the correct adoption of different methods can delay the untimely bolting phase.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 12th, 2024