Understanding How Fruits Grow and Ripen on Your Farm

Fruits play a vital role in farming because they help plants spread their seeds. Let's break down how this process works in a simple way:

1. Fruit Development Stages:

• Fruits have different parts that help in spreading seeds.
• As seeds grow inside, the fruit also grows around them.
• When the seeds are ready, the fruit either dries up or becomes ripe, allowing the seeds to be spread.

2. The Role of Plant Hormones:

• Think of plant hormones as signals that guide fruit development.
• After pollination (when flowers turn into fruits), hormones like auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin kick in.
• They make the fruit start growing.
• However, we still have much to learn about how these hormones work as the fruit continues to grow.

3. Ripening Time:

• When the seeds are fully developed, the fruit is ready to ripen.
• During this stage, hormones in the fruit change.
• Some hormones decrease, while others increase.
• This change makes the fruit ripe and ready to eat or spread its seeds.

4. Different Fruit Types:

• Fruits come in various types.
• Some fruits have juicy parts that animals love, and others split open to release seeds without any help.
• Surprisingly, research shows that juicy fruits evolved from those that split open, suggesting that similar processes are at play in both types.

Understanding these basics can help you make informed decisions on your farm when it comes to growing and harvesting fruits. It's a fascinating world of hormones and growth that keeps your fruit trees healthy and productive!