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Articles Fred's Tips Gross Distribution of Photosynthates
Articles Fred's Tips Gross Distribution of Photosynthates | Gross Distribution of Photosynthates |
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| Written by Fred Nowak | |
| Thursday, 31 July 2008 | |
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What in the world are photosynthates and does understanding of the distribution of those phosynthates help a bonsai enthusiast understand what is going on in the life of his trees? First a definition: Photosynthates. A chemical product of photosynthesis. Now that wasn’t tough, was it? But what is that chemical product? The results of photosynthesis are carbohydrates, the food that is and will be used by the plant (in our case the tree) for its life and development. There is a an estimated distribution of the gross photosynthates depending on the condition of the tree. In vigorous, dominant trees, the distribution would be more like this: About 26% of the “energy” (photosynthates) would be used for respiration (staying alive), 32% would be consumed in root and leaf development and the remaining 42% would be used for stem and wood development. In a tree that is less vigorous, suppressed (stressed), the figures can be 52% for respiration, 42% for root and leaf development and the remaining 8% for stem and wood development. What does this mean to the bonsai enthusiast? It means that if we have healthy, vigorous trees, the trees will expend most of their energy in the area of developing stem and wood growth. Aren’t we trying to develop great branching starting with the primary branches on to the secondary and so on? Aren’t we looking for that growth to develop good ramification? Aren’t we trying to develop trunks that can look older with their accompanying and satisfying characteristics of age? Well if we do, we must maintain a healthy tree. If we don’t maintain a healthy tree, most of the tree’s energy (carbs-photosynthates) will be used in just keeping the tree alive (respiration) and in leaf, leaving very little photosynthate for stem and wood growth. Now, you knew all the above just by observing your trees. You may not have known the “terms” but you know what happens in the life of a healthy tree and one that is stressed (unhealthy). Soooo-keep your trees healthy and vigorous. Forest Stand Dynamics by Chadwick D. Oliver and Bruce C. Larson |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 July 2008 ) |
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