|
Home > Archive > UK gardening > June 2005 > Watering Houseplants Using Science
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Watering Houseplants Using Science
|
|
| Chris_Moran 2005-06-29, 4:25 am |
|
See below charts of my african violet's water usage since I put it on my
membrane osmosis watering system at the beginning of February 2001. I've
included an exploded chart with clearer detail of the increase in water
use prior to flowering.
The plant was originally about 4 inches in diameter. Its peak size was
about 16 inches between the second and third flowerings. As it begins
its 10th consecutive flowering, the diameter is about 12 inches. The
average leaf size is now smaller and more regular than during the
earlier flowerings - there are 4 (maybe 5) concentric leaf rings
compared to 2 - 3 rings at the beginning.
I think it is interesting to see how the overall rate of water use has
decreased as the plant has grown in size. I guess this is due to the
larger plant being able to hold and retain more water in its structure.
I think that I am also seeing a pattern of 2 flowerings per season. From
beginning to end, flowerings last on average 10 weeks.
I have not used any specialist fertilizers, just regular houseplant
Miracle Gro Pour and Feed (capful every 2 - 4 weeks directly into the
compost). The plant has been re-potted once.
I have kept watering pattern data on many plants including
chrysanthemum, begonia, basil, rosemary, poinsettia, hedera (ivy),
small conifer, orange tree (from seed), cyclamen and others. They all
show variations in the rate of water use (like rolling steps) but
differ from the african violet in that the water use generally
increases as the plants get bigger.
http://tinyurl.com/8exzc
http://tinyurl.com/bvo2g
Hope this helps
Chris
--
Chris_Moran
| |
|
| Science is busy at big brother HQ this next few weeks,
so a watering can will have to suffice..
| |
| michael adams 2005-06-29, 12:25 pm |
|
"Chris_Moran" <Chris_Moran.1rd881@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Chris_Moran.1rd881@gardenbanter.co.uk...
quote:
>
> See below charts of my african violet's water usage since I put it on my
> membrane osmosis watering system at the beginning of February 2001. I've
> included an exploded chart with clearer detail of the increase in water
> use prior to flowering.
>
> The plant was originally about 4 inches in diameter. Its peak size was
> about 16 inches between the second and third flowerings. As it begins
> its 10th consecutive flowering, the diameter is about 12 inches. The
> average leaf size is now smaller and more regular than during the
> earlier flowerings - there are 4 (maybe 5) concentric leaf rings
> compared to 2 - 3 rings at the beginning.
>
> I think it is interesting to see how the overall rate of water use has
> decreased as the plant has grown in size. I guess this is due to the
> larger plant being able to hold and retain more water in its structure.
> I think that I am also seeing a pattern of 2 flowerings per season. From
> beginning to end, flowerings last on average 10 weeks.
>
> I have not used any specialist fertilizers, just regular houseplant
> Miracle Gro Pour and Feed (capful every 2 - 4 weeks directly into the
> compost). The plant has been re-potted once.
>
> I have kept watering pattern data on many plants including
> chrysanthemum, begonia, basil, rosemary, poinsettia, hedera (ivy),
> small conifer, orange tree (from seed), cyclamen and others. They all
> show variations in the rate of water use (like rolling steps) but
> differ from the african violet in that the water use generally
> increases as the plants get bigger.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/8exzc
>
> http://tinyurl.com/bvo2g
>
> Hope this helps
> Chris
>
>
> --
> Chris_Moran
[House] plants will absorb different amounts of water owing to
differing rates of osmosis through the roots, and transpiration
through the leaves. Osmosis is the process whereby water molecules
try and equalise their concentration on either side of the outer
cell membrane of the roots, and so draws water molecules from the soil
while transpiration, is the emission of water vapor from the leaves
through the stomata. Thus forming a continuous chain throuhout
the plant. Transpiration is dependant on the nature of the leaf,
its area, thickness etc and exposure to the warmth of the sun, as it's
this which vaporises the water in the cells. The leathery nature of hedera
leaves for instance, might suggest less vaporisation would be likely to
take place than in say lettuce. Similarly hairs on the surface of the leaf
or leaf colour, might affect the absorbtion of heat. While a build-up of
salts in the soil can lead to a reversal of osmosis and subsequent wilting.
michael adams
....
|
|
|
|
|