Dandelions – Day 2

img_3148-missy-dandelions2I was so disappointed when I went outside this morning to go to school. I couldn’t see any yellow dandelions – only fluffy seed on top of stems where the flowers used to be. And I knew there were lots of dandelions around only a day or two ago. Here is my dog Missy standing behind a clump of dandelions with seed heads sticking out.

I can’t make a pretty dandelion chain with only seed heads, but I could still make the curly-Qs, because they are made using only the stems. You need only your fingernails and a cup or jar of water. An empty mayonaise jar is perfect, but any kind of container will work. Cut several dandelion stems with either flower or seed heads on them. Then cut the stems into pieces about three or four inches long. Using your fingernails split the stem on one end into several strips so it looks something like a palm tree. Then repeat the process on the other end of the stem. The more strips on each end of the stem, the more curl you will get.

Drop your split stems into the water cup or jar and watch the strips curl up. Use them for decorations or just have fun watching them curl up.  Here are some pictures of how they look.

 Dandelion stems           curli-Qs in water         Completed Curli-Qs

 As I was picking the dandelion stems I noticed that there were dandelion flowers that were not opened. I think maybe they open in only the warmest and/or sunniest  part of the day and then close back up until late morning the next day.

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3 Comments

  • How unique, Janice. I never thought of making dandelion curls. I will do it with my youngest son this year!

    Tanya T. Warrington

    Tanya T. Warrington 09.03.2008
  • I spent many spring and summer afternoons making these when I was a kid on both the inside and the outside. I’ve been frustrated in trying to put up the dandelion chains though. On Sunday they were open and very pretty–just right for making the chains, but I had to go to a special extra choir practice getting ready for Easter week. By the time I got back home it was too late. Today is Monday, and by the time I got home from school they had already closed up for the day. But one of these days I’ll show how to make dandelion chains.

    queenbjan 10.03.2008
  • Well, I’m still waiting for my chance to make dandelion chains. Today is Saturday but it was quite overcast so I never saw any open dandelions to make them with. Maybe tomorrow it will be sunny and then I’ll have a yard full.

    Janice Green 16.03.2008

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