The Plant Kingdom is the basis of nearly every ecosystem on Earth. There would be no life on Earth without plants.
Both humans and animals rely on plants to provide food. However, plants are not subject to the same restrictions. Photosynthesis is the only way that plants can transform their food. It requires water, C02 and sunlight.
The Cannabis genus plants are not exceptions. What characteristics are there that distinguish cannabis from other plants? What are the functions of the photosynthesis mechanisms within cannabis? These are simple questions, but they have significant implications. To properly grow marijuana, it is important to understand the workings of each component.
The growth of plants
- Cell division and cell extension are the two main mechanisms for determining how a plant grows. The division occurs when plant cells are broken down and make copies of themselves. Cell elongation happens when cells grow outwards and become larger.
- Cell division is most common in the crown, at the tips of the roots and at the fringes any leaf nodes. A plant that is growing is likely to be dividing cells in these areas at an incredible rate. You could see a plant grow if you had patience and watched it for at least a day.
- Cell division creates new cells that undergo cell elongation. They absorb water from the body and grow to much larger sizes. Healthy plants can grow up to three inches per day if they are kept in an environment that is well-patronized.
The unspecialized nature of new cells means that they can adapt to different needs depending on the situation. A newly formed cell at the end a petiole could become a leaf cell. This is one of the building blocks for photosynthesis.
There are many kinds of cells that we can arrange into different groups of tissues. To simplify things, cells can be divided into three main groups: ground, blood, and dermal.
Parenchyma, which is the majority of cells in a plant’s cells, is what makes up most of its ground cells. These cells are the functional components of an organism. Leaf cells, for example, are mainly composed of parenchymal ground cell, with the exceptions of the veins and the stomata.
Next are the tissues that transport nutrients and water within plants–vascular tissue. Xylem carries water from the roots to other parts of the plant while phloem carries products of photosynthesis from the leaf to other areas. For example, sugars in the leaves are needed to provide energy for other parts of the plant. It all works because of the vascular tissue.
The dermal tissue is the final layer, which is the outermost layer of plant cells. This protective layer protects against insects, parasites and high heat.
Dermal tissue includes the cell wall, waxy outer layers and the stomata. These are the locking doors mechanisms that allow the plant to breathe in and let out CO2 and water.
The Cannabis Root System
The plant world we imagine is often only the tip of what the brain can see. For example, only half the wild cannabis specimen is visible.
The root system extends tendrils underground, sometimes to the extent of the visible stem. These root systems allow plants to withstand droughts and dry periods, as well reaching greater depths for nutrients.
A cultivated domestic cannabis plant can thrive with a smaller root system and a denser plant. As long as it is given all the nutrients and water it needs, a cannabis plant can thrive in a hydroponics or pot.
Roots are able to absorb nutrients and water, store nutrients and keep plants safe in soil. Healthy root tips are white with small hairs. It’s possible that your root tips are turning brown. This could be a sign that your soil is not properly hydrated.
Evaporation is what gives plants their water and nutrients. The leaves have stomae that allow water to evaporate through them, while below the ground water presses against the roots, creating pressure.
Combining root pressure below with evaporation above creates a suction system that promotes the flow of nutrients from the bottom to top.
Stems: Where the Nutrients flow through the Plant
The primary structural axis for a plant is its stem. It is the main structural axis of a plant. The stem acts as a highway through which nutrients and water are carried throughout the plant.
As we have discussed, the nodes are where the leaves meet the stem, while the rest of the stem, between nodes, is called the internode. The number and lengths of the plant’s internodes determine its height. Once a plant starts to flower, it will produce buds. The number of internodes will remain the same.
The stem, like the leaf, contains xylem as well as phloem. These go all the way to the root. Xylem is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the new leaves. The phloem, which is found in the leaves and transports sugar and energy throughout the rest of the plant, is its source.
For cannabis, a solid stem is vital. A thick stem maximizes energy transport efficiency and ensures that the plant can bear dense buds without breaking.
A grower can help ensure a strong stem by ensuring that air flows through the plant. As it grows, the plant will respond to these stimuli by thickening its stem.
Function of Leaves
The leaf is the most important part of any plant. It is where photosynthesis takes place and provides food. The chloroplast cells are responsible for photosynthesis. They gather sunlight and store it in ATP.
A leaf of a plant is composed of a mesophyll, mesophyll, and veins. The meat of the leaf is called mesophyll. It is where chlorophyll cells capture sunlight and turn it into energy with CO2. Veins run from the tips of leaves to the roots and are made up of xylem, phloem, and phloem.
The xylem is responsible for transporting water, while the phloem provides energy (sugar). Stomata can be found on the underside leaf. These are the locks that allow the inside of the plant to be transmitted CO2, oxygen, and water vapor.
Leaves thrive in sunshine. They will be stronger, healthier, and fuller of chlorophyll. A higher level of chlorophyll will result in more sugar. This means that the plant will be more energetic. Shaded leaves have a lower threshold for sugar production that those in sun.
The intersection points of leaf bundles are called nodes. This is how you can determine the health of your plant. The first node in a plant will always produce single-fingered leaf sprouts, followed by the next three-fingered, next five-fingered and so forth.
The more the environment is favorable, the more leaves will have fingers and the better the plant will grow. This is something to keep in mind when pruning. Pruning can be a great thing, but it is crucial to understand what you are pruning and why.
Due to the way that leaves absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, it is important to remember that the air around your leaves may have a different temperature and humidity from the rest of your growing environment. To help control the environment more accurately, install fans to ensure proper air flow.
Cannabis Flowers
As with other members of the plant kingdom it is the Cannabis flower that serves as the reproductive organs. Cannabis plants often have imperfect flowers. This means that they can be divided into male and female. Stamen are the male flowers. They consist of a thin tube-like filament that is covered by a pollen-covered anther. Pistils are found in female flowers. They have a pillar-like stalk, called a style, that ends in a stigma. The stigma is often sticky or feathered to catch pollen grains.
Cannabis plants reproduce by transferring pollen from the stamens of male plants to the pistils of females. This method of reproduction is called pollination in plants. It is also vital for reproduction. The cannabis flower contains THC & CBD, which are the primary active ingredients and the reason it is smoked.
It is crucial that the female flowers are not fertilized in order to preserve high levels of active ingredients and maintain a high quality product. A female plant will begin to produce seeds after fertilization. If the plant is not fertilized, it will produce more teardrop nodules, which contain higher concentrations of trichomes. These are the glands that produce THC and other cannabinoids.
