Unsung hero-The Stem

 "It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
 John Leonard

TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM

• JUST BLOOMED TODAY
• PLANT STUDY~THE STEM
• GARDEN GIGGLE

JUST BLOOMED TODAY

 

PLANT STUDY-THE STEM
When we left our plant education, we had made it to the plant sprouting and growing tiny hair-like roots. The sprout contains a growth tip, which elongates to form the stem. Little buds form along this stem and form the first true leaves. The stem continues to elongate as the plant grows, producing more buds, which develop into leaves, or if the plant grows larger, branches.


A primary function of the stem is to transport water and nutrients absorbed by those tiny hair-like roots to the plant's growing points-buds, leaves and flowers- and to return to the roots the sugars manufactured by the leaves. It also provides support for the plant. Vines have twining stems and tendrils to carry leaves and flowers up into the sunlight.


Another function of the stem is to provide food storage for the plant during its dormancy, start growth in spring, and help seeds develop.Food moves through the stem as plant sugars and when stored, these sugars turn to starch.In spring, when the plant is ready to grow again, that stored starch is converted back into sugar, and can then circulate through the plant. This is why it is so important not to have support wires be too tight, or you can kill the plant by cutting off it's circulation.

So although everyone is oohing and aahing over the showy flowers and pretty foliage, remember the unsung hero, the stem that holds everything up, and keeps the juices flowing.


GARDEN GIGGLE

I'm a gardener and I'm okay

I sleep all night and I plant all day!

I dress in grubby clothing, and hang around with slugs.

Oh, I'm happy in the garden,

with dirt and plants and bugs....

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