Week Four

At long last, my plant has finally begun to grow, well, I should say plants as there are currently 6 of them. I consulted my teacher to whether or not I should kill off a few of them so they dont have to compete. Personally I thought it was a brilliant idea, but I guess Ms. Alm is more of the diplomatic type. She suggested that I should hold on for now as the soil we used is relatively rich. Oh well, for now I`ll keep a close eye on it like Israel on Pakistan.

As for todays research, I thought it would be suiting to learn more about the actual growth of the plant. Primarily, it turns out that unlike most animals a big difference in plants is that growth ovvurs throughout the the plants life and not limited to an embryonic or juvenile period. This is called intermidiate growth. However some plant organs like animals, undergo determinate growth, meaning that they cease to grow after a certain time frame or size. Plants are capable of intermidiate grow becaue of their tissues called the meristems. The apical maristems are located at the tips of the roots and the buds of the shoots alowing the plant to grow in lenghts (primary growth). This extension of the roots and shoots allow the roots to absorb more water and store more nutrients and for the shoots to increase their exposure to CO2.

There are plenty of other information on lateral growth but most of them pertain to woody plants. Since tomato plants are not woody plants, primary growth in the shoots and the roots produces nearly all of the plants body.

Well, thats it for now...Ill keep you guys up to date if any more growth occurs.