What Does Phototropism Mean?
Phototropism refers to the movement of a plant toward a light source. Light triggers the plant hormone known as auxins to move to the shaded part of the plant that is not exposed to the light
What Does Phototropism Mean?
Phototropism refers to the movement of a plant toward a light source. Light triggers the plant hormone known as auxins to move to the shaded part of the plant that is not exposed to the light.
In nature, plants change orientation to face the sun. In an indoor gardening scenario, plants grow toward the light source provided by the grower.
Essentially, phototropism is a chemical signal; when auxins are released in the plant’s system, it responds by growing cells faster on the side facing the light. If you have ever witnessed a plant grown in a pot indoors start to turn toward a nearby window with lots of natural sunlight, you’ve seen phototropism in action.
Maximum Yield Explains Phototropism
Plants require light in order to manufacture carbohydrates to support growth and life. In the natural world, the light source (the sun) moves across the sky, which changes how light reaches plants. In order to ensure better light absorption, plants have developed a means to change their orientation in relation to a light source. This is called phototropism.
In an indoor gardening situation where the light source does not change directions, plants will grow straight up. This may require modification to ensure that the maximum number of plants can be grown within a given area. For example, the training of a plant to grow laterally through a lattice or by being tied down at various points (see Screen of Green Method [SCROG]).
Phototropism is undesirable in cannabis plants because it will cause the plant to grow tall, lanky, and thin as it stretches and bends to find an adequate light sou