trends & technology
In Hydroponics ,
we want our plants to have sturdy stems at the base to properly support the plant as it grows and develops fruit .”
Does wind actually produce any chemical effect within the plant ? Yes . It has been studied and concluded that movement of plant stems and branches either caused by wind or other sources will stimulate the production of ethylene within the plant . The hormone ethylene is widely considered to help cause aging or maturity in a plant due to its role in accelerating such developmental processes as ripening , senescence , and abscission ( the process where the plant loses its leaves or fruit ). Ethylene also regulates many aspects of growth and development throughout the plant ’ s entire life cycle . Ok , but does this strengthen stems ? Plants produce and use hormones much the same way that animals do — to help adapt to and survive the environment they live in . In this case , moderate movement can produce ethylene inside the plant , altering growth patterns to create sturdier stems or trunks . Hormones known as auxins are also produced within a plant when subjected to mechanical stress ; indole acetic acid is one of these . You may notice plants grow toward light . Auxins produced at a greater level on the shaded side of the plant cause the growth on that side to accelerate , resulting in the plant leaning toward the light . We want the primary stems or trunks of our plants to be strong . With plants that are notorious for having very pliant bases like indeterminate tomatoes or vines , we have them grow onto a trellis or other similar support . If our crops haven ’ t the strength to stay upright , they may fail to get the appropriate light or the fruit can be damaged by winding up on the soil where insects can attack . Some trees have this
same propensity . For example , when grown for nursery retail , the California pepper tree is given a stake on which to grow tall to help make it more attractive for purchase . This early focus on height can later become a problem when growing in the landscape as the tree tends to bend and be too pliant . Staking is done in the attempt to overcome this , but if the staking does not allow wind to cause bending , thus challenging the tree to develop some rigidity , the tree will remain floppy . Proper staking should never hold the plant rigid .
66 grow cycle