Plant Physiology

We all know, to a greater or lesser extent, what will or will not, grow on our estates or in our gardens. We know what needs to be nurtured and what will survive however badly we neglect it. But not many of us know why and maybe don't particularly care. Well if we purport to have any interest in our estates or gardens, we need to care.

Lots of plants that we regularly grow give a very poor return on our investment of time and money, whilst others nurture themselves and feed off their local environment. Their life responds to the ecology in such a way that they build natural immunity to disease or short periods of drought. Unlike animals, plants cannot move away from their predators so they have to defend themselves, where they are.

The continuing science of plant physiology, a part of the biology that we did at school, is constantly bringing forward variations of plants that will respond better to local conditions than do many of our traditional favourites. They are naturally more resistant to disease, drought or air pollution so need less water, carbon or nitrogen supplements. Less maintenance and less cost.

So plant chemistry is important to a sustainable environment. We all know more than we think we do. We know that chlorophyll and light are the essential nutrients that promote plant growth. We know that they have varying demands on water and we know that they flower in Spring or Summer in shade or sunlight. But perhaps we should know a little more if we are to make better judgements about what we buy and plant in the future.

Plants anchor themselves to the ground through roots or rhizoids and through an internal transport system, bring up nutrients and water. That system also works in reverse with leaves catching water and nutrients from the air and taking them down to the roots. The opening of flowers and the ripening of fruit responds to natural hormones that make them short day [Spring flowering] plants or long day [Summer flowering] plants. A bit like us then!

There is much more to plant physiology but perhaps that's enough for most of us to know. It takes daily exposure to the subject to know what will really do best in your garden to match your expectations.