Vernalisation is the exposure of a plant or seed to a period of cold that allows or promotes flowering later. In gardening, it matters most for plants that need winter-like temperatures before they can switch from leafy growth to flower production.
Many biennials and some perennials use vernalisation as a seasonal cue, including crops and ornamentals such as foxglove, parsley, carrots, and some cabbages. The cold period does not usually make the plant flower immediately; it changes the plant’s readiness so flowering can happen when warmth, day length, and maturity are also suitable.
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