Transcript Gardening from 1st. Principles

Gardening from 1st. Principles
Roots, Stems, Leaves and
Plant Reproduction
Monocotyledon
Dicotyledon
Plant Needs
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Support
Anchorage
Light
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Other Nutrients
Defense
Reproduction
Defense from:
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Desiccation
Predators/Disease
Physical damage
Harmful Chemicals
Roots
Adventitious roots
Aerating roots
Aerial roots
Contractile roots
Coarse roots
Fine roots
Haustorial roots
Propagative roots
Stilt roots
Storage roots
Structural roots
Surface roots
Tuberous roots
Aerating Roots
An example of this is found in Mangroves where
the mud reduces the oxygen availability. The
porous nature of the aerating roots really solve the
problem.
Aerial Roots
Adventitious Roots
Haustoria – Parasitic roots
Contractile Roots
Structural Roots
Transportation in Roots
Root Cross Section
Soils
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Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay
Organic
Ideally, your soil should have a combination of large
and small pore spaces. Again, organic matter is the
key, because it encourages the formation of
aggregate, or crumbs, or soil. Organic matter also
absorbs water and retains it until it is needed by plant
roots.
Every soil has a different combination of these five
basic components. By balancing them you can
dramatically improve your soil's healthy and your
garden's productivity. But first, you need to know what
kind of soil you have.
Fertilizer Components
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The first number in a fertilizer formula is the nitrogen
content.....
Nitrogen is used by plants for producing leaf growth and
greener, lusher leaves.
The second number in a fertilizer formula is the
phosphorus content.....
Phosphorus is used by plant to increase fruit
development and to produce a strong root system.
The third number in a fertilizer formula is the potassium
(potash) content.....
Potassium is used by plants for flower color and size. It is
also important to the strength of the plant.
For example, a 100 lb. bag of 10-20-10 converted to
weight equates to 25 lbs. nitrogen, 50 lbs.
phosphate, and 25 lbs. potash.
Other Plant Nutrients
Calcium
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Activates enzymes
Important for: Cell-wall Structure
Promotes Cell growth and division
Helps mineral uptake (e.g. nitrogen etc.)
Sulphur
• Structural component of many plant
chemicals
• Gives flavour to vegetables
• Essential to produce Chlorophyll
• Readily lost by leaching and may need
adding to soil
• Some water supplies may contain enough
Magnesium
• Essential for Chlorophyll
• Important in cell chemical conversions
• Used for fruit and nut formation and for
seed germination
• Easily leached by watering
• Can be applied as foliar spray to correct
deficiencies
Micronutrients
• Iron, Manganese, Boron, Zinc,
Molybdenum, Chlorine, Nickel, Sodium,
Cobalt, Silicon,
Note: These are required in small concentrations and are
involved in a variety of plant chemical processes (See
information sheet regarding “Plant Nutrition” on our
website in the links page)
pH Value
Refers to the alkalinity or acidity of the soil.
Whether it is acidic, neutral or alkaline will have a
marked effect on the availability of minerals to
the plant roots…the preferred pH varying from
species to species.
Nutrients and pH
Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae
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Protect plants from pathogens
Reduce fertilizer use
Reduce stunting
Decrease shock
Generally increase overall growth
Composting
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Medium Moisture
Browns and Greens
Sunny Spot
Turn, Turn, Turn
Accelerator???
No, no’s
Bamboo Sap Tea
Stems
Secondary Thickening
Vegetative Propagation
Layering
Leaves
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Hairs on the leaf
Waxy leaf surfaces
Large surface area
Transluscent windows
Succulent leaves
Leaf borne glands
Inclusions of crystalline minerals
A transformation into petals
A transformation into spines
A transformation into insect traps
A transformation into bulbs
A transformation into tendrils
A transformation into bracts
Sliced leaves
Pruning
Plant Responses
Phototropism
Thigmotropism
Geotropism
Nastic Movements
Coniferous Trees and Shrubs
(Gymnosperms ……. Naked Seeds)
Seedless Plants
That’s All Folks!