You see plants everywhere, everyday - unless you live in a desert, that is. Trees are plants, bushes are plants, and even your vegetable garden is full of green leaves. These plants are everywhere but how did they get there in the first place? How do these plants grow? Let’s dive into it!
Stages of Plant Growth
All plants grow different ways and at different speeds but most plants follow a certain pattern of steps in order to become a fully-mature plant. It’s like growing up. We all grow up differently and at different speeds but we all become adults eventually. However, before a seed can start to sprout certain conditions vital for life are needed: proper light, air, water, access to nutrients, and a proper temperature. Once these five elements of plant growth are met, the stages of plant growth can begin. Our first stage of plant is the sprout.
The Sprout
The sprout is the first stage to plant growth and involves the development of the planted seed. Within the seed is a pouch of nutrients in which the seed needs to grow. All the seed needs to start growing is the addition of water! Once you add water to the seed the nutrients and water allow the seed to develop into a sprout where its leaves and stem start to form.
The Seedling
Once the sprout has started to peak out of the ground the second phase of plant growth commences. This second phase is called the seedling. During this phase the root system of the plant grows quickly, plunging into the soil in search of water and nutrients. The way a plant gets its water is by absorbing it through its roots. Clouds rain onto the soil, providing moisture, or you water a plant if there is no rain. To learn more about clouds and where rain comes from, check out our article “All About Clouds.” Once the seedling has found ample nutrients and a water source it will start to grow several more leaves and grow taller in height.
Vegetative
The vegetative phase of plant growth starts after a substantial root system has been established during the seedling phase. This stage is characterized by growth in leaves and stem. Leaves and stems of plants have a green color and the pigment responsible for that color is called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is found in the chloroplasts of the cells in plants. These chloroplasts are kind of like solar panels. They take in light and provide the plant with energy that it can use to survive. A key nutrient that is needed for chlorophyll is nitrogen. Without nitrogen chlorophyll production can suffer and therefore chloroplasts will not supply the plant with energy. That is why many farmers use fertilizer. Fertilizers contain nutrients that help plants grow. Nitrogen is always found in fertilizers. The plants will take in nitrogen through its roots and its leaves and stem will grow and take in light.
Budding
Budding is the next stage after the vegetative stage. This phase is associated with a high demand for a nutrient called phosphorus. Phosphorus speeds up the process in which plants receive energy: photosynthesis. Plants need a lot of energy during this phase as they’re not only growing leaves but forming buds as well. Buds are where flowers and then in some cases, fruit, can form. Buds are the first step in the reproductive cycle of plants. The formation of fruit at these sites creates more seeds and therefore more plants.
Flowering
The flowering stage begins once the buds are fully formed on the plant. During the flowering stage colorful flowers may appear in certain plants - vegetable and fruit plants produce flowers for example. Flowering is the most important step of the reproductive process. During this stage pollen is produced. Pollen is the “male” component of plant reproduction. Bees will be attracted to newly created flowers and transport pollen between plants of the same species. This will start the reproductive process once pollen comes into contact with the stigma of the plant - the “female” component of plant reproduction. The stigma is the stick-like object found in the center of a flower. You can find it in the picture to the right! Pollen and stigma contact result in the next phase of plant growth!
Ripening
Ripening is the final stage of plant growth. The flowers and fruit have almost fully matured and seeds are ready to be spread. Plants have several different ways in which they disperse their seeds. They can be transported on animals such as cats or dogs, through the wind, or even by being eaten and defecated. No matter which way they spread their seeds new plants are bound to form! The plant has reached the end of its reproductive phase! However, this is not the end of a plant's life. Certain plants can go on to produce seeds several times if properly taken care of!
Conclusion
You are on your way to becoming an expert botanist! Now that you know how plants grow you can start a garden yourself. The process for plant growth may seem long but I trust that you now know what you’re doing! All you need is a little water, a little sunlight, some nitrogen, some phosphorus, some water, and more. You get the point. It may seem like a lot but the plant can do most of the work! All it needs is a little love. Good luck on your planting journey.