Page 104 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2020

HOME & GARDEN
The Rhythm of
PLANTS
story by
Alexis Williams
Most people probably never think about it, but just like the human body knows when
to sleep, wake, eat and drink, so do the plants that are in your gardens and landscaping.
It’s their circadian rhythm that keeps them on track – growing, blooming and even going dormant when it’s time. The plant’s circadian rhythm helps it realize the season, whether winter, spring summer or fall, and when to bloom in order to have the most optimal chance to attract pollinators.
Mississippi State University Extension/Research Professor Dr. Gary Bachman, says plants respond daily to the diurnal cycle of light and dark. “This 24-hour cycle drives many of the metabolic functions of plant growth and development. The plant’s circadian rhythm synchronizes metabolic
functions to this consistent diurnal (daily) cycle.”
For over 60 years, Ocean Springs resident
Mendy May eld has been gardening. She grew up learning about
plants and owers alongside her mother who she credits as “the
best gardener in the world.” “She could take a spoon and put it in the ground, and it would grow,” May eld
says endearingly about her mother. May eld
continues to share her love of gardening and plants with her family
today and has hundreds of plants in her home, greenhouse and storage shed. “Plants do their thing automatically,” adds May eld. She has observed the circadian rhythm in her own garden. “My hibiscus will bloom a fabulous bloom by mid-day but by night, the bloom is gone. They never bloom at night,” she said. In addition, she says her cereus only bloom at night. “They are very fragrant owers that only open when the sun has been down two-three hours. Everything works on a cycle.” In caring for her plants, May eld also considers the circadian rhythm. “I never water my plants
in the middle of the day because they don’t like it. Usually it’s because the sun is too bright. If it’s really nice and sunny, they are trying to grow, so there is no need to mess with them.”
So, as you plant your gardens and landscaping this spring, Dr. Bachman recommends that you enjoy the plants and let them take care of their own circadian rhythm. “Gardeners should realize that the plants in their gardens and landscapes grow in response to the environmental cues around them, primarily light and temperature that occur over a 24-hour period.”
104 | March 2020
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