Plant Science for Gardeners

Introduction    Introduction to Plant Science    Organization of the Book    Terms Used in This Book 1. Plant Basics    Cells    Xylem and Phloem    Photosynthesis    Plant Myth: Plants Raise the Oxygen Level in Homes    ATP and the Energy Cycle    Respiration    Meristematic Cells    Classification of Plants 2. Roots    Root Basics    Types of Roots    Plant Myth: Feeder Roots Are Located Under the Dripline    Effect of Gravity    Cut Roots and Side Roots    Plant Myth: Circulating Roots Continue to Circulate    Conditions That Affect Root Growth    Plant Myth: Transplant Solutions Grow Better Roots    Root Growth in Winter    Absorption of Water and Nutrients    Plant Myth: Is Soil pH Important?    Roots and Microbes    Plant Myth: Purchased Mycorrhizal Fungi Are Good for Plants    Plant Myth: Roots Grow Towards Water    The Rhizosphere 3. Stems    The Outer Structure of Stems    Internal Structure of Stems    Trichomes    Buds    How Stems Grow    The Importance of Photosynthesis    Underground Stems    Plant Myth: Plant Bulbs after the Ground Is Frozen    Plant Myth: Bearded Iris Should Be Planted with Rhizome Showing 4. Leaves    Leaf Structure    How Sun Affects Leaves    Why Are Some Leaves Red?    Plant Myth: Evergreen Needles and Oak Leaves Are Acidic    Functionality of Damaged Leaves    Natural Pesticides    Signaling Between Plants    Pest-Proof Leaves    Water Stress and Wilting Leaves    Leaf Abscission    Variegated Leaves 5. Flowers    Parts of a Flower    Pollination    What Causes Flowering?    Why Do Plants Not Flower?    Plant Myth: High Phosphate Grows More Blooms    Tough Love for Plants    Attracting Pollinators    Enjoy the Bracts    Dioecious and Monoecious Plants 6. Fruits and Seeds    What Is a Fruit?    The Importance of Fruit    Different Types of Fruits    Fruit Development    Seed Development    Suckering Tomato Plants    Seeds from Non-Flowering Plants    Soil Seed Bank 7. The Whole Plant    Life Cycle of Plants    Plant Dormancy    Movement of Water    Movement of Nutrients    Plant Myth: Leaves Can Be Used to ID Nutrient Deficiencies    Movement of Sugars    Seasonal Sharing of Resources    Overcoming Physical Damage    How Do Plants Get Taller?    Following the Sun    How Light Affects Plant Growth    Gravity 8. Woody Plants    What Are Woody Plants?    Structure of Woody Stems    Where Does Wood Come From?    Plant Myth: Newly Planted Trees Need to Be Staked    Storage of Sugars    Taproots vs. Fibrous Roots    Composition of Wood    Apical Dominance    Healing Damage    Plant Myth: Damage on Trees Should Be Painted    Conifers 9. Environmental Factors    Garden Hardiness Zones    Dealing with Cold    Protecting Plants from Cold    Dealing with Heat    Dealing with Water Extremes    Adaptability of Plants    How Climate Change Affects Gardens 10. Growing from Seeds    When Is Seed Mature?    The Seed Germination Process    The Mysterious Cotyledons    Why Do Seeds Stay Dormant?    Breaking Dormancy    Plant Myth: Seeds Can Have Double Dormancy    Seed Storage    Best Method for Starting Seeds Indoors 11. Selecting Seeds    Basic Genetics    Hybrids vs. Heirlooms    GMO Seeds    Days to Maturity    Buying Unusual Seeds 12. Vegetative Reproduction    Natural Vegetative Reproduction    Rooted Stems and Leaves    Artificial Vegetative Reproduction    Plant Myth: Homemade Rooting Hormones Work Well    Grafting 13. Plant Names    Why Use Botanical Names?    Naming Conventions    The Proper Way to Name Your Plants Index About the Author Connect with Robert Pavlis About New Society Publishers