digitS'
Garden Master
Can you think of some misconceptions people might have about plants?
I have just been moving some tiny tomato plants from their community container where they first emerged into the light of day. They are now in separate cells where they can stay for a few weeks before going in larger pot.
What is special about these plants of 5 different varieties is the tiny size of the above-soil parts compared to the well-developed roots. Well-developed for unusually tiny leaves. I was careful moving them and tried not to do much damage.
Why are they such small plants? I think that it is just because the container was so shallow. I don't know why I chose that one but 5 varieties together meant that they required some room for separation so that I would not mix them at transplanting time. I went for wide and overlooked the depth.
So, I'm thinking, "how did these tiny leaves grow such nice roots?" It occurred to me that many people would turn that around, "why didn't these roots grow bigger leaves?"
It's a cooperative process. Roots pull water and some nutrients out of the soil for plant use. However, the roots are primarily made up of starches and sugars. Ya know, a lot of what the roots are made of is just water. Think of carrots and beets. Where do the starches and sugars come from? Photosynthesis.
The green leaves, above the soil are responsible for photosynthesis.
Yes, I have some tomatoes in 4" pots, some in cell packs that should be moved to pots, and now, the Tiny Guys. I think that they will be okay.
Steve
I have just been moving some tiny tomato plants from their community container where they first emerged into the light of day. They are now in separate cells where they can stay for a few weeks before going in larger pot.
What is special about these plants of 5 different varieties is the tiny size of the above-soil parts compared to the well-developed roots. Well-developed for unusually tiny leaves. I was careful moving them and tried not to do much damage.
Why are they such small plants? I think that it is just because the container was so shallow. I don't know why I chose that one but 5 varieties together meant that they required some room for separation so that I would not mix them at transplanting time. I went for wide and overlooked the depth.
So, I'm thinking, "how did these tiny leaves grow such nice roots?" It occurred to me that many people would turn that around, "why didn't these roots grow bigger leaves?"
It's a cooperative process. Roots pull water and some nutrients out of the soil for plant use. However, the roots are primarily made up of starches and sugars. Ya know, a lot of what the roots are made of is just water. Think of carrots and beets. Where do the starches and sugars come from? Photosynthesis.
The green leaves, above the soil are responsible for photosynthesis.
Yes, I have some tomatoes in 4" pots, some in cell packs that should be moved to pots, and now, the Tiny Guys. I think that they will be okay.
Steve