by Emma
(Australia)
I have a science assignment about plants (im in year 8) and I for part of my discussion I have to explain why its important to have a plant with structure instead of it bending over.
Its due tomorrow so a quick answer would be highly appreciated Thank you in advance 🙂
- Emma
Hi Emma, boy, that’s really put me on the spot! Hmm.
Well, I would say that it’s important for each leaf (the power house of a plant) have room to face the sun (which powers it).
If a plant is bending down, this might not be possible, and the plant wouldn’t be able to photosynthesize properly.
There are also chemicals involved that tell the plant what phase of growth it should be in, depending on the position of the stem; in fruit trees, a good horticulturist or arborist always removes the upright growth; this is because upright growing branches, called suckers, will just continue to draw all the strength from the tree, at the expense of the fruit, which only form on the horizontal branches.
Some plants also have an odd reaction to the direction it’s growing; spruce trees will always retain the character of the direction the scion or grafted part was growing, so any grafted trees that were taken from outward facing branches will always struggle to stay that way, making for some oddly shaped trees as we try and maintain an upright growth habit.
I hope that’s quick enough for you!
Best of luck with your presentation,
Jacki
