Tag: gardening

Plant Growth: How Do Plants Grow?


How DO plants grow?  Did you ever stop and think about it?  When you notice little movements from day to day, you know your plant is growing.  It seems like those leaves just pop out of no where doesn’t it?

Today you are going to learn a little horticulture 101.  You are going to find out exactly how  plants grow.  Plant growth is an interesting topic, because before we had microscopes, there was only speculation on how plants grew.  There are a few key terms we must define:

  • Horticulture: “A process by which a plot of soil is prepared for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings.” About.com Archaeology.  We are going to let horticulture encompass all of hydroponics as well.
  • Meristem: The Meristem is the part of a plant that is capable of cell division.
  • Cell Division: The process by which cells multiply.  The cells multiply by constantly dividing.  (No pun intended).

Where Does Plant Growth Happen?

Plant growth can only occur where there is cell division. Cell division occurs at the Apical Meristem. You can think of this as the top node. It is the node that is just popping up. If you have ever topped your plant to bush it out and spread the top nodes, you cut the apical meristem.

Meristem

Apical Meristem

The apical meristem can be cut to make two new top branches. The meristem doesn’t physically split into two branches. The two shoots below the apical meristem, both become apical meristems. It is actually a cool trick for the plant to make two apical meristems, because if another one got cut or damaged, it could continue growing. You’ll find that if you chop off both of the other two apical meristems, you will have four apical meristems.

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Garden Drainage is Very Important

A good garden has places where water can drain away from the soil.  Drainage mostly applies to container gardens and raised garden beds.  The amount of drainage versus the growing medium’s ability to hold water are important ratios to consider when setting up a garden for a new plant.  Some plants require a lot of moisture while others may need their containers to dry out in between waterings.  The ratio the plant requires will determine the type of growing medium, the type of drip emitter to use, and how much to water the plant each day.

Garden Containers
Holes are mandatory in the bottom of containers being used for plants in container gardens.

There are countless designs for containers featuring different types of drainage.  The container on the left is a massive planter and just has a few large holes on the bottom.  You would want to put some small rocks or hydroclay over these holes.  Most gardeners cover the bottom of the container with rocks so soil won’t drain out with the water.  I like soil less growing medium rocks that can be used in hydroponic systems for a similar purpose.  Some plastic containers also feature side drainage holes.  It really depends on what you prefer.

These plastic containers are small and drain through the bottom with many drain holes.

There are also containers that promote high oxygen levels in the root zone.  Containers like Smart Pots have great drainage.  Good drainage is key to maximizing the oxygen in the root zone.  Smart pots can be used in soil and hydroponics gardens.  They come in many sizes and can be used indoor or out.  Economical gardeners favor them because they are high quality, highly productive, and washable.  The Smart Pots can be re used or transplanted directly to the next pot or outdoor garden.

Smart Pot
Smart pots are great containers for all types of gardeners.

Some reasons drainage is important:

  • Too much water is bad for your plants if they don’t need it.
  • Do everything you can to prevent mold and mildew.
  • Leaving water in the grow space can mean spills for indoor gardeners
  • Bugs and Pests love a little extra water potentially filled with nutrients or sugars.
  • Roots filled with too much water are being suffocated because they are not receiving enough oxygen