Plant Growth Stages

Plant Growth Stages

• Plants undergo distinct changes from seed to sprout through vegetative, budding, flowering, and ripening.
• Seedling cycle involves embryo development, juvenile, transition, and adult phases.
• Nutrient needs change as plants grow.

Phases of Growth

• Sprout: Seeds contain all nutrients needed to germinate and grow first leaves.
• Seedling: Roots develop and spread, requiring balanced nutrients for rapid growth.
• Vegetative: Nitrogen is critical for chlorophyll production and stalk/foliage growth.
• Budding: Phosphorus is needed at the start of reproduction for bud formation.
• Flowering: Potassium is key for producing/transporting sugars/starches to develop flowers/fruit.
• Ripening: Plants need water to use up any remaining nutrients as flowers and fruit mature (also referred to as flushing).

Germination and Dormancy

• Seeds develop in the ovary of flowers and the embryo has an embryonic axis with cotyledons.
• Plumule: forms the shoot, like the stem and leaves.
• Radicle: forms the roots.
• Monocots: one cotyledon, called the scutellum.
• Dicots: two cotyledons, which supply nutrients.
• Embryo: surrounded by endosperm in endospermic seeds, with non-living cells filled with starch.
• Seed coat or testa: covering the seed from maternal tissues.
• Germination is when the radicle emerges through the seed coat or the coleoptile in monocots.

Germination Definitions

• Janick (1986): process from water imbibition to seedling self-sustainability.
• Esau (1977): resumption of embryo growth after imbibition.
• Dormbos (1995) specified that physiologists define it as radicle protrusion and seed technologists see it as the emergence and development of essential structures.
• Webster: germination is the first act of growth in seed, bud, or germ.
• Copeland (1976): resumption of active embryo growth that ruptures seed coat and young plant emergence.
• Devlin and Witham (1983): a sequence that begins with water uptake and leads to seed coat rupture.
• Bewly and Black (1986): germination starts with imbibition and ends with elongation of the embryonic axis/radicle.

Types of Germination

• Epigeal: cotyledons above ground
• Hypogeal: cotyledons below ground

Dormancy Defined

• Dormancy is suspended growth in favorable conditions
• Quiescence is when growth stops because of absent environmental conditions
• Dormancy and germination are dictated by seed state and environmental factors

Causes of Dormancy

• Physical hard seededness
• Physiological-presence of inhibitors
• Light sensitivity
• Embryo dormancy
• Hard seed coat blocks water or oxygen
• Inhibitors (unsaturated lactones) from fruit, seed coat, or embryo
• Embryonic inadequacy (immature embryo)
• Nondormant seeds must receive enough air and water and heat to germinate

Types of Dormancy:

• Primary dormancy: dormancy from mechanisms established in the ripe seed.
• Quiescence: non-dormant state where growth stops because basic environmental factors are absent.
• Secondary dormancy: dormancy induced by environmental factors besides seed development.
• Imposed dormancy: inhibition of seed development from a factor outside the embryo

Breaking Dormancy

• Dry storage
• Mechanical treatments like scarification, cracking, rubbing, soaking, peeling and pricking
• Light treatments from 750-1250 lux for at least 8 hours in 24-hour cycle
• Temperature treatments of low/high temperature and/or the combination of the two
• Pre-chilling by alternating temperatures of 5-10°C for 7 days for seed, or high temperature
• Chemical treatments with Potassium nitrate or GA3
• Use a sealed polyethylene envelope to retest germination

Juvenility:

• Juvenile state: period of exponential growth when flowering is not easily induced.
• Juvenile leaf forms of new seedlings have juvenile needles in spiral instead of fascicles, which persists for up to ~3 years.
• Woody plants: juvenile branching pattern forms long whiplike branches and a narrow branching angle
• Ivy: stems change from a creeping vine habit to an erect shrub
• Juvenile wood roots more readily.
• Auxin stimulates rooting of juvenile cuttings.
• Propagation demonstrates the fixity of juvenile morphology.
• Increased age are associated with decrease in stem height increase

Flowering

• There are about 250,000 species of flowering plants.
• Genetic variability helps offspring adapt to new environments.
• Plants develop from vegetative, reproductive to senescence.
• Flowering plants undergo vegetative and later reproductive phases, but some have concurrent phases.
• Growth with sharp vegetative-to-reproduction transition is determinate, while concurrent plants have flowers on lateral shoots.

Growth Events

• Flower primordia initiation
• Bud development
• Floral parts maturation (sepals, petals, pistil, stamen, nectary, etc.)
• Embryo sac development (egg, synergid, antipodal, polar bodies)
• Pollen grains development within anthers
• Anthesis (opening of flowers)
• Pollination
• Pollen tube growth from stigma through style into ovule
• Two sperm nuclei formation from generative nucleus/pollen tube
• Fertilization
• Embryo development from zygote
• Endosperm development from primary endosperm nucleus
• Seed development from ovule
• Fruit development from supporting tissues
• Fruit ripening

Photoperiodism

• Photoperiodism is how different light exposures influence growth.
• Groups are divided by response to length of day.
  • Day-neutral plants do not respond to daylength.
  • Short-day plants flower with short day exposure.
  • Long-day plants flower with long day exposure.

Vernalization / Devernalization

• Vernalization: treating germinating seeds to cold to hasten flowering.
• Vernalization often defined as low-temperature promoting flowering.
• Vernalization stimulus perceived by the apical meristem.
• Vernalization stimulus (vernalin) is transmitted through cell-lineage replication of cytoplasm organelle.
• Vernalin and florigen interdependent and vernalin must be present for florigen formation.

Senescence:

• Senescence: when a plant or its parts begins deterioration.
• 5 Patterns of Senescence:
  • Whole plant or overall senescence: plant dies entirely, with annuals after flowering.
  • Top or shoot senescence: above-ground portion dies, but the root system survives, as in perennial herbs.
  • Simultaneous or synchronous senescence: leaves die but the stem and root system remains viable, top of an over-wintering biennial or perennial, and the leaves of a deciduous tree.
  • Progressive or sequential senescence: parts nearest tips of shoots/roots remain active while older parts senesce/die.
  • Fruit senescence: fruits/cells may senesce and die despite plant being in state of vigorous growth.

Bonsai Definition

• Bonsai is growing miniature trees in pots in Japanese culture that requires special care.
• Bonsai establishes a Zen atmosphere between itself and its creator and allows for experimentation.

Bonsai history

• 2000 years ago: noble art of bonsai created in Chinese traditions/culture and called “Punsai”, meaning potting wild tree seeds
• Japanese Kamakura period (13th/14th centuries): traditions exported to Japan and introduced trees through trade to replace previous landcapes
• Well cared for bonsai trees last a century and bring honor to those who care for them

Symbolism

• Bonsai symbolizes: peace, harmony, balance, determination, patience, resilience
• Receiving gift in Japan is a great honor
• The art is an inexhaustible source of appeasement, a soothing occupation, and means of achieving a state of fulfillment

Bonsai Philosophy

• Philosophy comes from “Zen” in Japan, “Chan” in China which greatly influenced oriental art
• Bonsai is a search for perfection
• The art introduces nature into everyday life by reproducing nature in miniature
• The art promotes access to serenity
• The art contributes to: patience, perseverance, spirituality, discipline, and humility

Bonsai Virtues

• Growth is time-intensive and represents the individual progression towards spirituality evolution
• Cultivation of bonsai: learning process and search for one's deeper self
• Tasks require focus/meticulousness to give rise to perfection
• Taking care of the tree is an art of living and state to reach inner peace known as “Mushin”

Essential Conditions

• Plants used in container must have natural characteristics of growth and must be terminated at the top to indicate highest point of growth
• Stem/trunk must have characteristics of growth and appearance of age
• Branches need to be rich in variety and artistic in appearance
• Shape of container/plant must have perfect harmony for overall stability
• Plants must exhibit all variations for enjoyment around the year
• Bonsai-growers must choose plants to develop natural bonsai

Single plant specifics

• Earth struck, main roots
• Trunk appearance
• Trunk curvature
• Wrinkled appearance to show old age
• Artistic look to branches
• Leaf color/shape changing with the seasons
• Position/size of the top
• Mosses and grass condition covering the soil in container

Trees/Herbs

• Length/girth of trunk
• Curvature/sense of perspective
• Distribution of plant
• Condition of fruits/color arrangement

Suitable Plants

• Foliage: Ficus panda/benjamina/religiosa, peaches, mulberry, anar, amrood, etc
• Creepers: Jasmine, Bouganvillea, Clerodendron, Petrea, etc
• Shrubs: Azala, Murraya, Hemelia, Jatropha, Adenium, etc
• Flowering: Jacranda, Flame of the Forest, Apricot, Prunus, Gulmohar, Hibiscus, etc
• Conifers: Pinus Khasiana/roxburghii, Juniperus, Cedrus
• Woody: Derris, Roupellia, Wisteria, Comberliem
• Other: Butea, Callistemon, Putranjiva, Fine-needle Pine, Maple, Juneberry, Pomegranate, Black Pine,

Preparation of Bonsai

• Low height
• Strong, thick roots
• Numerous branches
• Small, dense leaves
• Free of harmful insects/diseases
• Beautiful leaves throughout four seasons
• Elegant and tasteful flowers/fruits
• Fine arrangement of branches
• Short internodes and healthy bud eyes in lower part in branchless seedlings
• Strong, tall roots must be cut, with two-thirds of height to be removed and the main root be cut off
• Grafted plants must have perfect joints

Containers:

• Unglazed or semi-hard
• Inexpensive
• Proper balance according to shape/size
• Good water arrangement/retention
• Hole at the bottom for aeration/water draining
• Large holes to prevent root decay
• Prepare soil before transplanting
• Clean new containers before planting
• Thoroughly clean old containers

Bonsai Shapes available:

• Rectangular
• Square
• Tall square
• Tall round
• Oval
• Octagonal
• Hexagonal

Bonsai Pots and Tools:

• Pots require Large drainage holes and screenings
• Pots should be unglazed
• Sharp small pruning scissors
• Soil strainers
• Small pieces of plastic mesh
• Watering can
• Potting sticks
• Copper wire
• Small wire cutter
• A pair of pruning clips
• Small leaf cutter
• Knife
• Small saw

Japanese bonsai styles have defined styles and are generally formal or essential

• Hokidachi Broom Style: Trees with dense/fine branching form hemispherical crown, straight vertical trunk
• Formal Straight Chokkan Style: Bonsai resembles straight tree that makes strong impression.
• Straight informal Moyogi style: Informal straight that is common in climate
• Shakan Leaning Style: Reproduces what tree experiences, pointing branches in the same direction
• Kengai Waterfall Style: Tree on vertical cliff leans downwards and often occurs due to weight
• Semi-cascade style: Trunk has growth with short distance downward/sideways
• Bunjingi Letter Style: This is known as the aristocrat of bonsai, whose growth lacks of branches, but has the top reaching to the sun.
• Fukinagashi Wind-Battered Style: Is created when tree is pushed and trunk grow on the same side

Other Bonsai Styles

• Kabudachi Multiple Trunk Style: Dominant trunks share its roots
• Style Double tronc Sokan: Trees has distinct trunks, with is thicker in height
• Yose-ue Forest Style: Reproduces several trees in the illusion of a forest, with larger trees highest and spaces
• Barked / hollowed trunk style Sharimiki: Patches appear when roots appear, bleaching parts of the tree
• Style planted on a Seki-joju rock: Roots grown on rock into pot
• Ishisuki Rock Planted Style: Shallow pot that grows islands, it’s important to feed often
• Ikadabuki Raft Style: Lies on side and makes roots, branches points up
• Bon Kei landscape style: Frequently represents landscape, rocks, caves
• Neagari Rooted Tree Style: Has roots exposed that spread

Ornamental Plants

• Ornamental plants are grown for decoration instead of food and are planted for aesthetic purposes.
• Ornamental plants have leaves, flowers, stems, fruit or stem, and foliage texture to look attractive to people.
• They are grown/designed to have less functional use but have decorative value.
• Varieties are suitable for climatic ranges, soil types, gardening and landscaping needs and can be grown in garden beds or pots.

Floriculture Defined

• Floriculture deals with cultivation, processing, and marketing plants for landscaping (small/large)
• Gardens maintained with aesthetic appeal
• Floriculture includes: Annual, Biennial and perennial Ornamentals, Succulents, Climbers, Bulbous plants and other value-added products.
• Potential components that are important for aesthetic, social, and economic purposes
• Floriculture offers opportunity for employment round the year
• They are the main contributors for export

Flowers

• Most are harvested with stalks in vases to last longer. Cut flowers crops are rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, orchid, gerbera, Lilium, anthurium, gladiolus, narcissus, etc.
• These are used in bouquets, baskets and for decoration
• Loose flowers has great demand especially in Asian countries and used for great decor such as rose chrysanthemum, marigold, jasmine, tuberose, gaillardia, crossandra etc
• Loose flowers is plucked just below the calyx

Cut Greens

• Cut greens or cut foliage are lasting which have aesthetic for or color and freshness. Some types are: asparagus, ferns, thuja, Cupressus, eucalyptus, etc

Potted Plants:

• Great commercial importance to be used for indoor & outdoor locations where plants will grow quickly, they can be easily carried
• Potted plants industry growth has dramatically risen due to population increase.
• Used for decoration at homes, offices, commercial complexes.

Flower Seed / Planting Material

• High demand for quality flower seeds and seedlings (annuals and perennials). Some types are gladiolus, tuberose, amaryllis, dahlia, lilies, freesia, tulip etc

Nursery

• A place meant for multiplying and growing plants, as well as providing maintenance guidance and wholesale of products such as, cacti and succulents, grass, seedlings, bulbs etc

Lawn

• Has an aesthetic and recreational value because it is a green carpet. This has boosted the Turf Industry.

Perfumes:

• Demand for floral extracts (perfumes) has been growing
• Flowers such as rose, jasmine, and tuberose are used for preparation

Color Pigments:

• Carotenoids used commercially in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as used for food supplements
• Marigold petals can feed poultry for their egg yolk and is rich in carotenoid pigment.
• Prevent humans from dry eye and night blindness and the yellow-colored dye has been used in food and cosmetic industry.

Dried Flowers

• The technique flowers can be easily dried, preserved and processed to retain the beauty. Such types are dahlia, larkspur, paper flower, annual chrysanthemum etc

Combat Pollution

• Parks help reduce air pollution, as well as water and noise pollution in urban cities.

Ornamental Growth

• Scopes are the availability of soil and climate, especially that the region facilities tree plantation. They help soil and air in improve ways

Pefume

• Rose and jamine are in perfumery industry. And will need it in the future

Cut Flower

• Demand for several improved cultivars will grow Rose Cosmos, Gladiolus and Chrysanthemum. Germany is the biggest importer.

Wasteland Plants

• In order countries, these lands has shown the great benefit if people make into garden.

Foreign Currency

• Many countries that make it in the world due to lack of proper atmospheric conditions
• Foreign Currency by selling them

Unemployment Solutions

• More workers are more required to help out the problem

Industry Growth

• Many of them are seasonal

Oranamental Plants Importances

• Aesthetic gratification
• General purpose: decoration & beautification
• Employment Opportunity for growth
• Poultry trade
• Used in cosmetic
• Livelihood.
• Medicinal value in timber

Annual Plants

• Timber value
• Environmental importances, reducing air pollution
• Is essential due to fuel wood

Reasons to grow

• Winter season annuals: planted on certain months and harvested on other months. Examples are nasturtium, pansy, verbena, etc.
• Summer: grown at certain seasons and harvested at other seasons. Examples are cosmos, sunflower, etc.
• Rainy: Examples are amaranthus, balsam, celosia, cock s comb, gaillardia.