Do Your Plants a Good "Turn"

I do not talk to my plants, but I know many people who do. They believe the plants grow better in the presence of more CO2, and I won’t argue with them. I know for certain that plants do respond to stimuli, but more commonly, we see evidence of their response to light stimulus, rather than conversation.

You have probably observed, countless times, a houseplant that leans toward a light source - usually a window. You may have even been told that plants grow toward

the light. This is only partly true. Plants cannot think and cannot “know” that they “need” light. They can only respond to light and their response is what makes their growth uneven, causing the leaning or bending.

What is taking place is a phenomenon of the plant’s normal growth. The light source restricts the growth of the cells on the “light” side of the plant. The cells on the “dark” side grow slightly longer. The result is a plant growing up and over itself, the longer cells pushing up over the shorter cells on the lighted side. This may initially sound contradictory to you. I know it did to me - and I had to rewrite my botany paper three times until I got it straight. I finally learned that the whole process is called “phototropism”. The smaller cells on the “light” side of the plant are actually the healthier cells. They are thicker and stronger. The longer cells on the “dark” side of the plant may be more readily invaded by disease-causing organisms.

This phenomenon even has some bearing on the way greenhouses are typically constructed. Generally, they are built so that the length of the structure is positioned north to south. The rows of plants are also placed north to south. This way, during the course of a typical sunny day, all sides of the plants receive uniform light as the sun crosses up and over from east to west.

You have probably guessed where this is leading: you need to turn your houseplants so that they receive equal light on all sides. If you leave a plant on a windowsill, it will lean (be bent toward the light source) until it eventually touches the glass. Nor only will it be less attractive because of the uneven growth, but the leaves that touch the window can potentially freeze or get too hot and die.

Thus, for a fuller, healthier, more attractive plant, it is important to turn your plants. I recommend a one-quarter turn every three to five days. If that is not a convenient schedule - give them a one-quarter to a one-third turn at least once a week - maybe every time you water them.

If your plants are not on a windowsill, there are several lighting fixtures that you can purchase to aid their growth. You can choose from floodlights, spotlights, reflector-type fixtures that can be suspended from above. Some are designed specifically for plants. I recently saw a floor lamp with a moveable pole that could be extended, as the plants grow taller.

In virtually any type of fluorescent light fixture, you can utilize a plant growth oriented bulb. These provide a level of light intensity and proper color ranges that are much better than regular light bulbs. No, do not ask me about the light rays themselves or what end of the color spectrum they are on because I am not certain. However, these bulbs are designed to help the plants grow by offering an even and high-energy light source and color spectrum that enables plants to be full and healthier. Most medium to larger communities have indoor lighting centers for your convenience. In addition to turning your plant to aid their growth, there are several other simple ways to help your houseplants. In the winter you can manage their growth by decreasing or suspending the use of fertilizer, keeping them out of the sun’s direct rays (to avoid burning leaves), and providing frequent mistings. You can also use plant coasters with gravel in the bottom. Have the water level just below the bottom of the pot so no actual water is contacted, but evaporation from the area moves up and increases the humidity in this foliage area also.