seeds Fans for seedlings

[Diabolus]

Most of my annums shot up fairly quickly and I've noticed that a few of them are a little weak in the knees. So I poked in some shish-kebob skewers for some added support. That seems to have done the trick but I was wondering if a blowing fan would help the plants build strength in the stalk. I've read that some people here do this but is there any scientific proof that this works or is it just a myth. Also what kind of air movement is required? Should they look like palm trees in a hurricane or just have it's leaves gently swaying in the breeze?

 

[Pepper Ridge Farm]

Don't face the fan directly on your plants but do have enough air movement that the leaves gently sway in the breeze like you say. More light will also help build thick stalks.

 

[Hotpeppa]

i agree...

it will help for sure...

 

[Davetaylor]

set up some computer cooling fans they are not too strong but will cause the plant to gently sway i have two set into my grow box which i run every other day

 

[Omri]

You could always stroke ya plants... it works... honest!

 

[imaguitargod]

Yep, light breeze=stronger cell walls=stronger plants.

 

[ohmatic]

Yep, light breeze=stronger cell walls=stronger plants.

eversince i move them out daily they appear to "stalk up" because of the winds outside !

 

[TXCG]

I've read that some people here do this but is there any scientific proof that this works or is it just a myth. Also what kind of air movement is required? Should they look like palm trees in a hurricane or just have it's leaves gently swaying in the breeze?

http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/54/383/845

 

[Diabolus]

You could always stroke ya plants... it works... honest!

So this will help to keep them erect. This sounds like a job for the wife.

 

[Diabolus]

http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/54/383/845

Wow. Everybody here should read this article. As usual, the truth is much more complex. There is a clear trade-off between stem bending and light airflow over leaves. Now I really don't know what to do.

 

[caroltlw]

Wow. That's a long read. Here's some of the conclusion:

"The results clearly show that the two aspects of wind stimulation, air flow and flexing, had directly opposite effects on the plants. Air flow increased height and stem conductivity, while reducing the strength and rigidity of the stem. Stem flexure reduced height and stem conductivity, while increasing the strength and rigidity of the stem. ... Neither stimulus affected stem diameter, however, so they must have altered the relative investment within the stem between mechanical and hydraulic tissue.

...

"...air flow has the opposite effect from mechanical stimulation on both mechanics and hydraulics is new. The responses of plants to wind, therefore, would seem to be the sum of two separate responses: a (possibly physiological) response to air flow past the leaves; and the response of the stem to flexure."

Note: They were bending them to 45 deg!


From my limited experience and observation, if they bend too much (like during a storm) it's best to tie them up until those branches turn a bit woody (strength) and are able to support themselves. The gentle breeze you can create indoors with a fan just makes them sway a bit - not bending them as far. Each new leaf or branch will add to the stem thickness as the plant gets older. (better conductivity and CO2 availability)