3 ultimate hacks to help your plants survive longer
2/10/2024
Translation: machine translated
Our green friends are the silent heroes of our living spaces. Relatively undemanding and yet so important for rooms. But they often die unexpectedly. This trick will prevent that.
They are often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but without them a piece of home is missing: plants. In order for them to stay with us for a long time, they need a certain amount of care, otherwise they will quit their job and say goodbye to their human family. It is a well-known phenomenon that plants die. But why actually?
The liquid gold for plants: Water
Plants need water to survive - as clear and inconspicuous as it may be. But water is far more than just a simple elixir of life; it is the engine behind some of the most fascinating physical and chemical processes in the plant world.
It all starts in the roots, where plants absorb water from the soil by osmosis. This water, rich in dissolved minerals, rises in the xylem vessels thanks to the magical forces of cohesion and adhesion - despite gravity! This phenomenon, known as transpiration suction, allows the water to reach the highest leaves.
Once inside the leaves, water plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. Here it is broken down into its elementary components. The method is simple but effective: take a watering can, fill it with water and spread this life-giving liquid over the soil. Behind this simple action lies a complex interplay of physical and chemical wonders.
The shining ally: light
For the ambitious botanists among us, there is another decisive factor: light. Plants and light - an almost magical connection that delves deep into the secrets of physics and chemistry. The leaves contain tiny solar power stations called chloroplasts. These amazing organelles were once independent cyanobacteria that became part of the plants through symbiosis.
A true miracle takes place here: individual photons of sunlight hit chlorophyll molecules, the green pigment in the chloroplasts. The chlorophyll captures these photons and uses their energy to catapult electrons to higher energy levels. These energised electrons set a chain of chemical reactions in motion - photosynthesis.
A sunny spot where daylight kisses the leaves is therefore not only beautiful to look at, but essential for this fascinating spectacle of nature. However, bear in mind that there is often not enough light, especially indoors. Our green friends will thank you if you give them a spot where they can capture the full power of the light.
The invisible source of life: air
Let's not forget the air - the invisible but indispensable lifeline of our plants. It is more than just a space filler; it is the magical substance from which plants create their own substance. Through the miraculous process of photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air. In the chloroplasts of their leaves, they split this molecule in an almost magical way.
This is where the real trick comes in: the carbon atom (C) from the CO₂ becomes the basic building block for the plant. It combines with the hydrogen atoms from the water (H₂O) and forms glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) - the sweet elixir of life and foundation for growth and flowering. Oxygen (O₂) is produced as a fantastic by-product, which the plant generously releases into its environment. This is how plants transform invisible air into tangible matter and give us the air we need to breathe.
Conclusion
Now you know what you need to do to give your plants the longest possible life. It's often the simple things that are enough to make a big difference. Sometimes it doesn't take a revolutionary approach, but just a little attention to the wonders of nature.
Oliver Herren
Chief Innovation Officer
Oliver.Herren@digitecgalaxus.chCool: Creating interfaces between the real world and the world of pure information. Not cool: Driving by car to the mall to shop. My life happens online, the information age is where I feel at home.