Life Cycle of Plants

As darkness falls the guard cell deflates, the stomatal pore closes and the plants natural capillary system shuts down. Like all living things, plants require rest, 6 - 8 hours is ideal. The natural synergism of the plants internal chemical reactions is an amazing process and still not totally understood.

Water and Nutrient Uptake in Plants

As light increases the wondrous process begins. At the commencement of photosynthesis, the turgidity of the guard cell increases and the stomatal pore opens. This is because carbon dioxide is used up and causes a decrease in acidity and this favours an enzyme driven reaction to convert essential metabolites to simple sugars, which create energy and water uptake by the guard cell and then evaporation draws water and minerals upwards throughout the plant. The synergy effect then distributes water and minerals within the plant.

The essential elements that make up a plants physiology are: Hydrogen, Carbon,Oxygen

The remainder is made up of macro and micro elements: Nitrogen, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chlorine, Boron, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum (16 elements in total).

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Horticulture Today

Recent discoveries have found that a number of other substances can improve a plants physiological health and growth rates. Vitamins, Auxins, Gibberellin, Steroidal Saponins and beneficial Bacteria have all been found to improve a plants performance.

Five other biosphere elements are required for plant growth, temperature, air exchange, light intensity, growing medium and water. Todays hi-tech gardeners have the ability to control the growth environment. Temperature can be controlled and maintained at 24 degrees C., air exchange at litres of air per second. Light can be measured at PAR, measured in nanometers and exact measurements or water and nutrient solutions can be applied.

Annual plants grow and flower or produce fruits depending on light hours. Neutral day plants, such as tomatoes and carnations, produce fruit and flowers throughout the annual cycle. Long day flowering plants require 12 hours or more of light. 12 hours or less are called short day flowering plants. Some medicinal and beneficial herbs fall into the category of short day plants.