Have you ever thought of why certain plants look different to other plants. Well you’ve come to the right place with all the information but of course these going to be more which that’s why we have Google. This blog will explore the different habits of plant types from my experience within the horticultural industry.
Plants can move fast these adaptions like the Venus fly trap use a trigger sensor within its leaf to hold and feed off the body of its victim. Note. Do not touch this plant as it weakens it every time it closes without a feed this is why choosing a plant from the back of the shelf is recommended as children love to poke them! Another moving plant that I have seen is the Touch-Me-Not plant, Mimosa pudica, its more sensitive than humans! It curls when touched by the movement in the leaf of water pressure. This I witnessed on a tour around the famous Eden Project in the UK which I highly recommend. Its like stepping into another world and you’ll find plants you’ve never seen before. Crazy they were growing pineapples in heated greenhouses from the heat off rotten composting bays!
Let’s start off with location as this has a massive place to play in plant differences as they adapt a wide range of climates for example think of a lavender (For each plant observation you’ll have to play detective) the properties have a relatively grey coloured leaf. This grey colour is found in mostly dry, hot climates so the colour of the leaf can tell you straight away how much water it needs. The leaf surface can immediately give you information on were the plant should be planted, maintenance needs and location. The thicker and bigger the leaf the less light is needed so placing these plants in the right location is key. Thinner leaf plants capture moisture on there leaves as there surface area increases to allow the plant to take in as much water as possible an example would be grasses.
Some plants don’t even need soil! These air plants have specialised roots that take in nutrients from the air or off a host plant. These plants either work with the host as a friend or as a parasite plant for example Mistletoe, which attaches to the hosts vascular system through the cambium for the intake of water and nutrients. Note: the Vascular Bundle is where everything gets transported through the plant with the Xylem (Roots to tip – Water) and Phloem (Leaf to roots – Nutrients and energy from sugars produced through the process of photosynthesis)
There are plants that grow off mineral rock with very minimal or poor nutrient soils. These tend to be smaller plants due to the lack of space and water for the roots to grow which results in a smaller plant. This is a natural adaption which is amazing as in nature its constantly a fight for survival. We (plants) have to grow in places where no one else will survive. Over time the intelligent cells within the plant absorbs information through root to leaf tip to change to the condition needed to survive the worse conditions thrown at it. These specialised cells will give adaptions such as capabilities for holding vast amounts of water in the driest environment or extremely deep root systems capable of reaching far into the earth.
We touched on this just now. Plants actually talk to each other. They communicate just as we humans talk by passing information into each other its the same in plants. You might not believe me but think about this everything that is alive on earth have a form of communication between each other from the smallest microbes to our pet cats and dogs. Through root systems within the ground some plants can even pass on water to each other from one water source far, far away. They share but also fight for nutrients you’ll see this clearly in Buxus as the hedge loves to steel nutrients from other close plants that’s why you have to constantly feed them or you’ll start to see nutrient deficiencies from other plants within the garden. When a plant gets stressed (shocked), near the end of life and certain times of the year mainly autumn it’ll increase the hormone to reproduce. This can in certain plants be if root systems are restricted the plant will put on more flowers as this is the start of sexual reproduction. E.g. Agapanthus.
Extra post for your interest
I’ve heard many of times ‘Oh just stick it in the ground it’ll be fine’ but this is totally wrong advice. Plants like humans need a little love and care to establish correctly. There are three basics – food, water and correct planting location as each plant has different requirements.
Let’s start with food. A lot of critics despise the use of Non-Organic fertilisers but until they come up with a cheaper solution the industry won’t change. There are benefits tho of using such fertilisers as they tend to last a lot longer up to 1 to 2 years. They can be specifically adapted to the plants needs as this can differ from plant to plant. Such as to enhance green growth you’d use a high nitrogen fertilizer which is important for having that gorgeous looking lawn. But we can look deep into NPK on another blog. So the question you’ll all be asking what is the best fertiliser for planting? Well I’m going to tell you. Osmocote goes in the bottom of the hole and Triabon goes on the surface of the soil. Osmocote is a slow release fertiliser so it doesn’t break up as fast when in the soil. Triabon 16-8-12(+4+TE) forms a gel when wet to stick to the surface of the soil. Another great way which most people use the genetic slow release Tree and Shrub tablets in the bottom of the hole. Of course the amounts of fertiliser will change depending on the plant and size so do your research prior.
For all your maintenance needs go to https://pinewoodgardencompany.co.nz/?page_id=10
Other sites of interest https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/
