Dewy drops of joy

GreenThumbGal_07 · May 16, 2006

Looking at my recent transplants, I've noticed that the ones which are settling in well and showing vigorous new growth are the ones which, at night, show beads of water at the very edges of their leaves. The plants which are just "sitting there" and not showing new growth have dry leaf edges at night.

I guess the water drops on the growing plants are evidence of good circulation and a healthy, strong, developing root system.

GTG

JabulaZa · May 19, 2006

Hi GTG
I knew a learned the scientific name for this in school and varsity quit a few years ago, but had to search for the terminology. It is usually observed in grass but many other plants do show guttation.

Root pressure is observable at night when evaporation is low and excess water collects in droplets around special openings on the leaf edges and in grasses near the tips.

Such water loss in its liquid phase is known as guttation.
It will only occur when circumstances are favourable, and the plants are healthy.

GreenThumbGal_07 · May 19, 2006

Dave,

Thank you! Would guttation be a specific case of transpiration?

It's good to know that this is a sign of a healthy plant.

GTG

JabulaZa · May 22, 2006

Hi GTG,
My Pleasure.

I wouldn't call it a special case of transpiration.
Guttattion won't happen when the nights are dry and/or windy or if the soil moisture is not high enough.
It also is becuase of root pressure as opposed to transpiration pull.
It mainly happens to maintain the flow of water and nutrients through the plant in times when evaporation is impossible or highly unlikely and guttation does not occur in all plants.
Just two links to wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpiration
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttation

May 16, 2006	#1
GreenThumbGal_07 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 300	Dewy drops of joy Looking at my recent transplants, I've noticed that the ones which are settling in well and showing vigorous new growth are the ones which, at night, show beads of water at the very edges of their leaves. The plants which are just "sitting there" and not showing new growth have dry leaf edges at night. I guess the water drops on the growing plants are evidence of good circulation and a healthy, strong, developing root system. GTG

May 19, 2006	#2
JabulaZa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pretoria - Gauteng - South Africa Posts: 67	Hi GTG I knew a learned the scientific name for this in school and varsity quit a few years ago, but had to search for the terminology. It is usually observed in grass but many other plants do show guttation. Root pressure is observable at night when evaporation is low and excess water collects in droplets around special openings on the leaf edges and in grasses near the tips. Such water loss in its liquid phase is known as guttation. It will only occur when circumstances are favourable, and the plants are healthy. __________________ Dave

May 22, 2006	#4
JabulaZa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pretoria - Gauteng - South Africa Posts: 67	Hi GTG, My Pleasure. I wouldn't call it a special case of transpiration. Guttattion won't happen when the nights are dry and/or windy or if the soil moisture is not high enough. It also is becuase of root pressure as opposed to transpiration pull. It mainly happens to maintain the flow of water and nutrients through the plant in times when evaporation is impossible or highly unlikely and guttation does not occur in all plants. Just two links to wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpiration http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttation __________________ Dave