Plants Share Their Food!

We've learned how plants can compete for sunshine and water and space. We know they can communicate with each other through the soil and the air. But now we've learned that plants, particularly trees, can also share their food! (Big thanks to Alert Gardener Jim for this news flash.)

Tropical Garden, MRobb

 
 "Competition between individual plants for resources is well known, but sharing of resources may also occur. Klein et al. observed tree-to-tree carbon shuttling between roots of tall trees in a mixed temperate forest in Switzerland (see the Perspective by van der Heijden). By applying stable carbon isotope labeling to individual tree canopies, they show that up to 40% of the carbon in the fine roots of one individual may be derived from photosynthetic products of a neighbor. Carbon transfer of this kind, mediated by plant-associated fungi, or mycorrhizae, in the soil, has been reported on a smaller scale in seedlings, but not before in trees. "
       Science, this issue p. 342; see also p. 290

Alpine Stream, MRobb

 Many gardeners, particularly gardeners of rare plants, have noted that the plants do better in groups, and outdoors in open soil if conditions allow. We know some of those reasons. What I call the Fungi-Net, which is basically a communications system built with soil fungi, allows plants to share data. Also the Formi-Net, which allows plants to communicate via their ant symbionts, helps some plants like Tillies to reach out to their world. Now we've found that the Fungi-Net does much more than facilitate communication- it allows plants to share their resources.

Railroad Vine, MRobb

 
Ethically speaking, should we be growing our plants in groups, and ensuring fungi are growing well in their soil? What do you all think, gardeners? Any ethicist botanists wish to comment?

Lithops, MRobb

This is SO Wrong....

These poor little guys are actually GLUED INTO THEIR POT. The pot is a very shallow dish filled with gravel which has been glued. There is no way to get these guys out without just smashing the whole thing on the cement they are sitting on, then trying to remove what's left of the plants to see if they will recover. Apparently this is the new way big box stores are selling cacti sets. They ship well, the plants survive a month or so, then the buyer or giftee just chucks the whole thing in the trash. Rinse and repeat.

I have seen this "disposable plant" mindset appearing with cacti, succulents, and orchids. It used to be done only with annuals, and perennials were given more respect. You can have a cute little plant on your desk or window, then chuck it when the hot new thing appears at the store. As Droopy says, "You know what?? That makes me mad...."

I'll probably rant more on this later, after I think through more of the philosophical/cultural ramifications. Yesterday I was just shocked and had to put this photo up ASAP. Have any of you seen these in your stores? What do you think?