“ Plants breathe without lungs, digest without a stomach, see and hear without eyes and ears and think without a brain,” said Stefano Mancuso.
My First GWA Conference: Practice for Future Ones BY TERESA SPEIGHT
95-97 percent. Why do mycorrhizae and plants help each other? Because they each receive something in return. In exchange for plant-produced sugars, mycorrhizae funnel nutrients to plant roots.
Other plants have made a similar deal with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here, the trade is plant-produced carbohydrates for bacteria-produced nitrogen. The bottom line: If you can’ t go to the food, have the food come to you.
A PLANT CANNOT RUN AWAY FROM PREDATORS
What do you do if you can’ t escape from a threat? Make yourself unpalatable. The existence of secondary compounds that can deter insect predation has been well documented. In his book Brilliant Green, Mancuso states that a plant will produce“ indigestible or even poisonous” compounds to stop herbivorous insect feeding. And, to conserve resources, these compounds are synthesized“ exclusively inside the leaf that’ s under attack and in the leaves next to it.”
If predation continues, a plant may send out a call for help. Jessica Walliser, horticulturist, writer and devoted bug lover, says that“ pest-infested plants emit semio-chemicals known as herbivore-induced plant volatiles” to attract predatory insects to eat or parasitize the pests. In effect, the plant“ calls for help,” emitting specific volatiles to match the predator to the pest.
In his Ohio State lecture, Mancuso suggested that this sensing of and satisfying differential needs— be it exchange of nutrients or calling in the cavalry— is akin to animal consciousness or sentience: He uses the term“ plant intelligence.” Not everyone agrees with his belief, but it’ s an intriguing line of thought.
Debra Knapke is a teacher, lecturer, garden designer, photographer and gardener in Columbus, Ohio, who has been communicating with her plants for as long as she can remember. She is the co-author of five books and blogs at Heartland Gardening.
Teresa Speight attended her first GWA conference in Atlanta.
The 2016 GWA Annual Conference & Expo was a much-anticipated gathering. This conference of like-minded people, who are actively involved in sharing the love of all things green and growing, was like a family reunion of sorts, and I was the first-timer. People I’ d only met on social media and others who knew of me welcomed me with open arms.
In my excitement to meet my mystery roommate Arlene, who had not arrived, I missed the initial newbie meet and greet. Thanks to Kathy Jentz, who was covertly making sure I was okay, I did not miss the trade show; what a trade show it was! From roses to camellias to hydrangeas, all of my favorite vendors were represented. And the sample plants— oh my! Dining with new and old friends was a great opportunity to relax and take a breather.
I eagerly anticipated Saturday, as the first tours included the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the Chihuly exhibit, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Center and the Atlanta History Museum. There, I found a piece of art in the midst of the woodlands that stood for peace; it made me pause and reflect on the gratitude of the moment.
WHAT I LEARNED FOR THE NEXT CONFERENCE A few of the wonderful takeaways( other than the beautiful plants):
• Rest up in advance and be on time. Things move quickly.
• Don’ t underestimate the long-time members. They are fast, skilled and are more than willing to share( Thank you, Ruth Clausen!).
• Invest in a good alternative-charging source for your digital devices.
• Make friends with the Kellen team; that was quite important.
• Step out of your comfort zone and become a conversation starter. This is no time or group of people with whom to be shy.
• Bring an umbrella or pack a rain poncho. The best thing about being caught on a bus and missing private garden tours because my umbrella was on my bed at the hotel was getting to know a seasoned member or two. Private moments are priceless.
• Be prepared to meet just about anyone such as renowned plantsman Michael Dirr.
• Consider and attend the lectures that really speak to you. The programming was awesome( Way to go education team!). I wish I had more time to ask questions of the presenters, but everyone had to keep to the schedule. That harkens back to rest up and be on time.
The best way to enjoy the conference and the organization is to get involved and spread the word. I know that I will continue to share the wonderful experience of what I saw, learned and what I hope to experience at future events. The best way other garden communicators can get excited about joining GWA is to hear other people’ s experience.
Now I’ m off to rest up for # GWA2017!
Teresa Speight is a native Washingtonian, who started gardening as a youngster with her parents. After taking the Master Gardener course in Fredericksburg, Virginia, she became one of the founding farmers of the Eitt Farm— the first transitionally organic CSA in Stafford County, Virginia. For seven years she was head gardener for the city of Fredericksburg, ran an environmental club for children and taught vermicomposting. As a Steward if this Earth, Teresa speaks on shade gardening and saving our earth.
PHOTO COURTESY CAITLIN NORTON
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