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South East

I could not help but to be intrigued by Big Kahuna's post about the tendrils on his plant. The statements made where that;

- Plants have a mind/brain
- Undisturbed plants grow faster

Altough talked about in Orlando, I missed that and thought it would be fun to discuss it on here, so here goes:

From what I know plants don't have a brain but (quote):

"Plants do not have a brain or neuronal network, but reactions within signaling pathways may provide a biochemical basis for learning and memory. Controversially, the brain is used as a metaphor in plant intelligence to provide an integrated view of signaling."

The tendril coiling is a response to it touching an object witch triggers a reaction that involves hormone release (auxins and ethylene), and one sided turgor pressure changes allowing the plant to coil or grow around an object. A mechanism for vining plants to reach sun lite, or the top of a canopy and/or stability.

It don't think that can seen as intelligence.

I do support the theory thought that un pruned plant grows faster.

However, in competitive growing, pruning is essential, whether its a third vine, or a tendril. Excessive growth can be detrimental to competitive efforts and tendrils have no use in a competition plants. Its held down by roots, buried vines and stakes. There are no undisturbed plants in competitive growing as all we do is manipulate its environment.

Early pruning of tendrils (modified shoots) might have a similar effect on the main vine tip as ending a side vine.(tendril seen as a little sink). As the energy used for tendril development now can diverted to other shoots in the plant.

Some food for thought and discussion.

6/8/2014 2:23:02 PM

Massillon, Ohio

I, also, was intrigued by Big Kahuna's post. I'm glad you brought it up for discussion. I have no info to add, but will eagerly await posts from those who do. Yesterday as I trimmed off some tendrils that were grabbing around leaves, I was feeling guilty....wondering if they were crying out in pain! Oh! What an emotional hobby!!

6/9/2014 9:57:29 AM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

The Nature of Things has a good documentary about this...
www.cbc.ca/the nature of things/smarty plants

6/9/2014 7:30:20 PM

Whitehall Montana

I left for the weekend,so my plants went undisturbed and their growth was the biggest jump I have ever seen.

6/9/2014 9:17:46 PM

President - GPC

I have noticed since leaving them on the side vineZ stick up higher out of the plant...might try one plant with, one without to see any diff.

6/10/2014 9:58:36 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Can you imagine how wild your plant would be if you didnt prune the third growth vines.

6/10/2014 8:56:30 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

If anyone would like to see just how wild they look....my first year I didn't cut off tert's. Holy crap.

6/11/2014 7:10:43 AM

President - GPC

When pruining tendils...I often wonder how much that drip of ooZe affects the plant after itZ cut..especially if itZ going to be a HOT day. Does Lots of pruining in one day, or for that matter any pruining hurt?? or does it cause the plant to respond in an defense growth spurt??

6/11/2014 9:52:48 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

When I no longer need flowers, I've always trimmed the tendrils off along with the flower and tertiary vines at the same time. This was advised to me early in my growing by more than one of the heavy hitters of that time.

I've experimented by grooming one plant and not the other (leaving the tendril when I prune the flowers and tertiary vines) and from that I think I learned that no matter what I can's seem to slow these plants down once they are in the super growth phase that we have alll experienced at pollination time and just after.

Interesting stuff, but it is much easier to groom a plant early than try and clean up a big tangled mess later.

7/18/2014 10:03:50 PM