How to grow sunflower

How to grow Sunflower

The typical image of a sunflower is a magnificent yellow flower that towers over flower beds and other flowering plants. But there is more to sunflowers than a row of stately blooms in the background. These striking specimens come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors that will fit any landscape. They are easy to grow from seed and will thrive in any sunny location.
Sunflowers (or Helianthus – the correct plant name) is one of the most popular summer flowers. It is native to both North and South America, but this easy-to-grow flower is often cultivated due to is friendly, large flower.
Not just being beautiful to look at, the sunflower is also useful; the seeds grown in the flower’s head are good parrot and bird seed, as well as being tasty for a hamster. The seeds are also home to the oil which many of us cook with.
Sunflowers can be found in two varieties; the dwarf and the larger variety. The larger variety averages a height of 6-10 foot in full sun.
The dwarf variety (named Dwarf Sungold) are easier to manage and grow to an average height of 24 inches.
Growing sunflowers, in general is quite easy. They need little maintenance and when planted out in the Spring, will flower in the summer. Re-appearing year after year they bring great hues of yellow to a sunny garden.
Growing to tall heights, the stems take on a lot of weight, and are therefore top-heavy. Sunflowers need to have a good start to ensure that they grow strong and healthy, ready to take on the job of supporting the flower head for years to come.
How do I grow strong sunflowers?
Ten tips for growing strong sunflowers:
1. Plenty of sun plus some shade.
2. Generous watering.
3. Planting out at the right time. Think about the weather, sunflowers don’t like the cold.
4. Plenty of space. Don’t crowd them. Each sunflower needs a lot of nutrients from the soil, planting several together will just mean each plant will get less nutrients.
5. Staking at the right time. Don’t let a sunflower struggle against the elements.
6. Good compost.
7. No interference. Once planted out, do not move them.
8. To keep them strong year after year continue this kind treatment while the plants are young every year.
9. Attention. Cut off dead leaves, and keep the area weed-free.
10. Do not use any pesticides, grass seed or other chemicals near the growing sunflowers.
A head start
Before you sow or plant any flower ensure you know how to care for it. Know how much attention it needs, the position it needs to thrive, any feeding required etc.
Can you give the plant what it needs to survive and grow into a strong flower?
Sowing the seeds
Sunflower seeds can be picked up very reasonably at all garden centres. The dwarf variety seeds are much smaller, so you will probably get more for your money by buying these. The ideal time to buy would be in the spring, a week or so before you intend to plant them.
If you’re buying the larger, more common variety, try your local pet store. Many sell sunflower seeds in whatever weight you like, you can buy a huge bag for around 60p! This way if your first attempt at growing them doesn’t work to plan you haven’t wasted a lot of money.
If you are growing the seeds in a greenhouse before planting them out you’ll need to sow them sometime in April. Make sure you don’t plant them too far down in the pot, just cover with about an inch of compost/soil.
If you intend to plant straight out in the garden, make sure that the early morning frosts are over, sunflowers will not tolerate the cold.
Early May is a good time, if it is slightly warmer than average for this time of the year, you can plant out a little earlier. If this is your first attempt at growing sunflowers try planting some in a greenhouse and some straight in the ground and see which works best in your garden.

Location
Tall sunflowers need to be planted against a wall or fence post for support. You’ll need to stake the plants was they become more established to save wind and rain damage, but planting against something is a good idea to make the stems stronger to hold the weight of the heavy sunflower heads. You can then tie the stem loosely to the post as it grows bigger for added support.
Make sure you plant the seeds no less that 24 inches apart to avoid crowding.
Sunflowers need sun. To make your sunflowers extra strong, plant them where they can benefit from both. If you’ve a spot in your garden where the sun covers it during the day, and then is shaded in the afternoon this would be perfect.
Try different spots with your seeds and see which works best for your garden.
Soil conditions, weather climates, positions and temperature all differ in gardens, so to make sure you grow the best sunflowers you can, experiment.
In July to September your flowers will be bright and strong. To keep them fresh, keep watering them every night. The air will be humid and the flower will need a drink! Be generous with your water, but try not to drown the plants. If you have a watering can with a rose attachment, sprinkle some water on the actual flower head to get the water in all the right places.
To ensure your sunflowers keep returning stronger and stronger, respond to what they need – a lot of sun, a lot of water, to be staked well and to be left to shine
Things to consider while Growing Sunflower Plants:First you need to consider the location for growing sunflower plants. You must ensure that the particular area gets ample sunlight. Before you begin planting these, consider the amount of sunlight and the direction of the wind. Sunflowers need the full strength of the sun so choose an area that gets steady sunlight for at least 6 hours. Always ensure you plant the sunflowers seeds at least one inch deep into the soil. You must also keep a distance of 6 inches between each seed. Avoid planting sunflowers just before the winter season. If you have to plant them in pots, ensure that you keep these pots on a windowsill that gets plenty of sunlight. Check out the germination of the seed before growing sunflower plants. Once you have purchased the seed packet, you must remember not all seeds are equal. Therefore you can wrap them in a moist paper towel for a few days and check out which seeds germinate first. You can then choose and plant the sprouted seeds. You also need to consider the soil for growing sunflower plants. Experts believe that sunflowers prefer soils that drain well. Soils that contain a lot of mulch also help in growing sunflower plants. Mixing some manure a few days before planting the seeds in the soil will help you grow these with ease. It is said that these plants can be grown in a variety of soils. This non-fussy plant therefore can be grown without worrying too much about the soil required for their growth. Sunflower plants need plenty of water as well. Ensure you water your sunflower plants on a daily basis to prevent them getting withered in the sun. This is also the basic reason why you must use a well-drained soil. Seedlings should be watered deeply for the initial months. This needs to be done so that they develop healthy roots. While growing sunflower plants you may at times need to keep a check on the height of the stems. Sometimes, these plants may grow really tall which would depend upon the variety you have used. Therefore, you might need to tie it up with the help of a string so that the stem does not snap off by a sudden gust of wind. If you are keen of having the tall variety, then plant them next to a fence, which can give it some support as it grows. Always remember while growing sunflower plants that you need to think about other plants in the garden as well. Tall sunflower plants can block the sunlight and the wind for other plants. This can be useful if you have planted varieties that require less sunlight and the shade provided by the sunflowers can be a blessing in disguise. While growing sunflower plants, you may come across the problem of weeds. You will need to be especially careful when these plants are still in their initial stages of growth. Another factor you would need to consider while growing sunflower plants are certain diseases that can harm your plant. Fungi cause certain diseases that can affect sunflower plants to a great extent. Downy mildew is one such disease, which is a kind of fungi that grows beneath the leaves. This can also cause the stem to blacken. Keep a daily check to keep beetles away. These are known to eat into the plant, damaging it in the process. Insects can pose to be a problem while growing sunflower plants. In that case, the most useful insect would be the bee; because they help in the process of cross-pollination. Some of the common insects found in sunflower plants are the sunflower midges, sunflower beetles, sunflower bud moth, gray sunflower seed weevil, sunflower stem weevil etc. Birds are bound to steal the seeds of this plant. Therefore if you wish to protect the seeds, you would need to use some cheesecloth as a protective cover for the flower heads. You would need to check the flower head to know when the harvest would begin. Here, the florets in the center should be shriveled. The heads should be turned to the bottom side. There would also be some lemon yellow color on the backside. Cut the seed and keep some of the stem attached to it. Hang this in a safe place away from insects and also keep it in a ventilated area. Use cheesecloth to cover it so that it can hold seeds that tend to fall down.Growing sunflower plants can be a relaxing and also a very fruitful hobby. Use these tips to grow healthy sunflower plants and watch your backyard transform from a normal garden into an amazingly beautiful haven.

Herbal Medication

Herbal Medication:
1. Lagundi leaves:
Boil 4 tablespoons of chopped dried leaves or 6 tablespoon of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes
Dosage: Adults: 1/2 cup, 3 times a dayChildren's: (Babies) 1 teaspoon, (3 times a day)(2-6 yrs.) 2 tablespoons, 3 times a day(7-12 yrs) 1/4 cup, 3 times a day.
2. Oregano leaves
Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1/2 cup, 3 times a dayChildren's: (Babies) 1 teaspoon,3 times a day(2-6 yrs.) 2 tablespoons 3 times a day(7-12 yrs.) 1/4 cup, 3 times a day
3. Alagaw leaves
Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Drain and squeeze in 2 calamansi. Put 1 tablespoon sugar.
Dosage: Adults: 1/2 cup every 4 hoursChildren: (Babies) 1 teaspoon every 4 hours(2-6 yrs.) 2 tablespoon, every 4 hours(7-12 yrs.) 1/4 cup, every 4 hours
BURNS
Herbal Medications for Small Burn Area:
1. Sabila leaves:
Wash leaves with soap, and water pound the leaves and extract juice.Apply juice on the burn area after soak­ing in warm salt solution once a day.
2. Atsuete leaves
Wash leaves with soap and water. Boil for 10 leaves in 5 glasses of water. Let it cool.Soak the burn area for 10 minutes, once a day.
CHICKEN POX
Herbal Medications:1. Balimbing leaves (for itchiness)
Crush or chop young leaves and extract the juice. Apply the juice on the skin or lesions to relieve itchiness, 3 times a day. Don't rub juice on the skin.
2. Lagundi leaves
Boil 4 tablespoons of chopped dry leaves or 6 tablespoons of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 cup, every 4 hoursChildren's: (Babies) 1 table­ spoon, every 4 hours(2-6 yrs.) 1/4 cup, every 4 hours(7-12 yrs.) 1/2 cup, every 4 hours
ASTHMAHerbal Medications:
1. Talampunay leaves
Boil 2 dried leaves.Use as cigarette, every 6 hours.
2. Kalatsutsi leaves
Boil 2 dried leaves.Use as cigarette, one in morning and one in the evening.
3. Sampalok bark
Chop and boil a one-foot long piece of bark in 3 glasses of water for 10 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 cup every after meal and at bedtimeChildren: 1/2 cup, 4 times a day (after meals and at bed­ time)Babies: 2 teaspoons, 4 times a day (after meals and at bedtime
4. Kulities leaves and flowers
Boil 5 chopped young stems with flowers and leaves in 5 glasses of water for 10 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 cup, 4 times a dayChildren: 1/2 cup, 4 times a day2 teaspoons, 4 times a day

ACUTE AND CHRONIC CYSTITIS Herbal Medications:
1. Sambong leaves
Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.
Dosage: Adult: 1/2 cup, 3 times a dayChildren: (2-6 yrs.) 2 table-spoon 3 times a day (7-12 yrs) 1/4 cup, 3 times a day
2. Pandan leaves
Boil 1 cup of chopped fresh leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes.
Dosage: adults 1 cup 3 times a dayChildren: (2-6 yrs.old) ¼ cup 3 times a day(7-12 yrs.) 1/2 cup 3 times a day
3. Papaya leaves and green fruit
Boil 1 cup and chopped fresh leaves and 1 cup chopped green fruit in 4 glasses of water for 15 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 cup, 3 times a dayChildren: (2-6 yr..) 1/4 cup times a day(7-12 yr..) 1/2 cup 3 times a day
4. Mais hair
Boil 2 cups of chopped fresh young hairs in 4 glasses of water for 15' minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 glass 3 times a dayChildren: (2-6 yr.s.) 1/2 cup 3 times a day(7-12 yr.s.) 1 cup 3 times a day
CONSTIPATIONHerbal Medications:
1. Kangkong leaves
Eat 2 cup of boiled leaves with meals. This maybe the part of a diet.
2. Malunggay leaves
Eat one cup cooked leaves with meals.
3. Papaya (ripe fruit)
Eat one big slice every morning for breakfast.
4. Kampanilya (yellow bell)
Boil 5 leaves in 2 glasses of water for 10 minutes.
Dosage: Adults: 1 glass, 2 times a day Children: (2-6 yrs.) 1 table­ spoon, 2 times a day (7-12 yrs.) 1 cup, 2 times a day
Why Aromatheraphy Effective?
Aromatherapy, which involves taking various essences at certain hours of the day is especially effective if applied along with correct diet, exercises and deep breathing.
Healing with essential oils works because it is in harmony with the principles of natural healing. Let's take camomile oil, for instance. This essence contains Azulene, a substance which is an effective anti-inflammation agent. It has a deep blue color. In color therapy, Blue is used to reduce inflammation. Essen­tial oils are `liquid vibrations', each one
of which has a particular correspondence with a particular color and sound. Cinnamon oil, for example, corresponds with the color orange, and it stimulates the heart and circulation.
Essential oils are plant hormones and they have a biodynamic and ionizing potential when used therapeutically to treat human dis­eases. They are highly concentrated and powerful, and should be used with great care and properly diluted.
SNAKE BITES
Herbal Medications:
1. Adelfa leaves and branch poultice
Pound 10 leaves and a piece of branch
Apply directly on the wound after it has been bled

2. Kamantigue flower poultice
Crush about 10 flowers
Apply directly on he wound as poultice after it has been bleed

ABSCESSES AND BOILS
Herbal Medications:
1. Alugbati leaves poultice
Crush 2 leaves. Apply as poultice, 2 times a day

2. Amarillo leaves poultice
Crush 3 leaves and two flowers
Apply as poultice, 2 times a day

3. Gumamela leaves and flowers poultice
Chop 5 leaves and 2 flowers
Apply directly on abscess or boil as poultice, 2 times a day

4. Langka juice or sap (milky juice from the tree trunk) compress
Get the milky juice from the trunk and mix with a little vinegar
Warm the mixture and use it for hot compress
Use small pieces of clean cloth or gauze as compress
Apply for 20 minutes, 2 times a day

5. Sambong leaves poultice
Chop 5 fresh leaves
Apply directly as poultice on abscess or boil 2 times a day

6. Charcoal poultice
Chop or powder charcoal, then wet with water and wrap in a handkerchief or a clean piece of cloth
Apply directly as poultice, 2 times a day.

SPRAINED ANKLE OR WRIST
Herbal Medications:
1. Sabila leaves poultice
Pound 2 to 3 fresh leaves
Apply directly or poultice on the ankle or wrist for 30 minutes 3 tiles a day
Use bandage to hold poultice in place.

2. Kamantiqui stems and leaves poultice
Pounds 2 stems with leaves
Apply directly or poultice for 20 minutes 3 times a day
Use bandage to hold the poultice in place

3. Kakawate leaves poultice
Crush 10 leaves
Apply directly or poultice for 30 minutes, 3 times a day
Use bandage to hold the poultice in place

4. Mayana leaves poultice:
Crush 10 leaves
Apply directly or poultice for 10 minutes 3 times a day

5. Kataka-taka leaves poultice
Crush 10 leaves
Apply directly as poultice for 30 minutes 3 times a day

DIABETES
1. Darak (now)
Boil the newly grounded darak
Filter the boiled liquid with a piece of cloth
Drink it like tea with sugar or honey

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine
The growing popularity of medicine plants has caught the interest of local barangays, municipal/provincial governments, st. dent groups, civic organizations and the like Herbal medicine' gardens began to sprout barangays, school campuses and backyard. Contests also were conducted by civil groups. Even health clinics began prescribing medicines either in prepared formulations dosages from raw plants taken from the community. NSTA and its concerned agencies in itiated training programs in the regions wit a view to promoting the program to loc leaders and medical practitioners. NSTA target is to set up regional production plan for the manufacture of drugs out of these plants so that people in the regions will have easy access to cheap medicines.ANISE - the essence of this plant is used to cure asthma, colic in infants; impotence, migraine, palpitations and insufficiency of milk in lactating mothers. For asthma, three drops on a little amount of sugar, taken three times a day; for colic in infants, one drop per day for each year of the child's age, with a maximum of five drops per day. Don't exceed six consecutive days. For insufficiency of milk, take two drops of Anise essence on a little brown sugar, three times a day.BASIL - better known as a seasoning, Basil essence, is applied on insect bites (1 drop of essence) and snake bites. Three or four drops of essence on a little brown sugar three times a day, calms anxiety. Three drops of Basil essence is also a remedy for gout, mental strain, migraine, scanty menstruation, vertigo and epilepsy.
CARAWAY - the oil of this herb is good for dry pleurisy, rheumatism, loss of appetite, flatulence, lactation, gastric spasm, vertigo, worms and diminished amount of urine.
CAMOMILE - the essential oil is rubbed on gout, rheumatism afflicted parts of the body, boils, dermatitis, eczema, and herpes. Three or four drops of camomile es­sence on a little brown sugar, three times a day, between meals, alleviate anemia. Camomile also cures loss of appetite, conges­tion of the liver or spleen, convulsions, depression, slow intermittent fever, influenza, insomnia, migraine, facila neuralgia, stomach cramps, vertigo (3 drops of essence on brown sugar when the attack occurs), and teething troubles in children. CINNAMON - the essence of cinnamon is distilled from the leaves and bark of. the cinnamon tree and is used for coughs and irrita­tions of the respiratory organs, snake bites, spasmodic colic, diarrhea and flatulence. CLOVES - the essence of cloves, mixed with a 10 per cent alcohol solution, is rubbed on Lupus afflicted parts of the anatomy. It is used to cure scabies, sore throat, sinusitis, vertigo and wounds. It is also a remedy for asthma, diarrhea, dropsy, dyspepsia, flatulence, gout, measles, loss of memory, dental neuralgia, worms and diseases of the lungs such as bronchitis and pleurisy.
CORIANDER - the essence off coriander is a remedy for joint and rheumatic pains (mix warm olive oil, and 10 per cent coriander essence and rub on afflicted area), loss of appetite ( 1 drop of essence on brown sugar and taken half an hour before each meal), slow digestion (2 drops of essence on brown sugar after each meal), and flatulence.
EUCALYPTUS - oil from the leaves is used on burns and injuries, colds, sinusitis, rheumatism, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, influenza, laryngitis, measles, and scarlet fever.
GARLIC - is a remedy for arteriosclerosis, asthma, hypertension, rheumatism and worms.
GINGER - the essence is extracted from the roots and applied externally for rheumatic pains, and as a gargle for sore throat. Internally, it is for loss of appetite, diarrhea, intestinal disorders, slow digestion and flatulence.
LAUREL - the essence of bay laurel is a remedy for rheumatism (mix with olive oil 10% of essential oil of laurel and rub on af­flicted area) and for slow digestion (3 drops on a little, brown sugar after each meal).
LEMON - the essence of lemon' is ap­plied on insect bites and stings (1 drop of es­sence), herpes (dab with cotton wool soaked in water with 2% lemon essence), brittle nails (soak nails for 15 minutes in warm olive oil with 10% essence of lemon), sore throat (gargle with lukewarm boiled water and 2% essence of lemon), warts, wounds (bathe with boiled water and 2% of lemon essence). Lemon essence is also good for preventing facial wrinkles (four drops of essence do brown sugar after every meal forestalls ageing). It is a remedy for anemia (5 drops of essence on brown sugar half an hour before meals), loss of appetite, arteriosclerosis (5 drops on brown sugar 3 or 4 times a day), by per viscosity of the blood, loss of calcium, fragile capillaries, dysentery, hypertension (3 drops of lemon essence on brown sugar after every meal), and infectious diseases. Other diseases cured by lemon essence include in­fluenza, jaundice, liver complaints (3 drops, of essence on brown sugar after every meal), 'lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy, malaria (5 drops of essence on brown sugar four times a day), and rheumatism (3 drops on a lump of brown sugar after every meal.ONION - the essence of onion is used externally for abscesses (bathe with the water in which an onion has been cooked), and boils and stings (dab with onion alcohol preparation). Raw onion is a remedy for the following: ageing, arteriosclerosis, asthma, bronchitis, colds, diabetes, diarrhea, flatulence, glandular imbalance, impotence obesity, and mental and physical 'strain.
PEPPERMINT - the essence of peppermint is a remedy for asthma, migraine, bronchitis, and is used as mouthwash. Used also for colic (4 drops of essence on brown sugar three times a day), flatulence, food poisoning, indigestion, liver ailments, migraine, palpitations, paralysis, and worm.
ROSEMARY - used for asthma, chronic bronchitis, colic (5 drops on a bit of brown sugar after meals; rub abdomen with 60% alcohol and 3% essence of rosemary), .general debility (4 drops on brown sugar before each meal), diarrhea, slow digestion, dizzy spells, dysmenorrhea, fainting spells, flatulence, heart trouble 'of nervous origin, liver ailments, migraine and rheumatism.TURMERIC (Yellow Ginger) - the essence of turmeric eases pain in the bones (rub with lukewarm sweet almond oil and 5% of oil of turmeric), anorexia (two drops of es­sence on a little brown sugar taken half an hour before meal), slow digestion and sluggish liver (2 drops of essence after a meal). The essential oil of turmeric must be used in moderation and with care for a fairly limited period.

Herbal plants

Herbal Plants

Ayurveda has, for several years, exalted the virtues of the vegetarian diet emphasizing on the benefits of green leafy vegetables. Although greens, like spinach have gained universal acceptance through the vastly popular Popeye, they have always been part of the staple diet recommended by Ayurvedic physicians. Greens are rich in fiber and antioxidants and contain natural pigments like lutein that keep several diseases, such as macular degeneration, at bay. Ayurveda recommends that greens be included as part of every individual’s daily diet to cure diseases and to keep them at bay.

The Ayurvedic method of cooking these vegetables is simple and easy to digest. Separate the edible leaves from the weeds and grass. Wash well. Chop and cook by adding ghee and a small amount of rock salt. Add a pinch of pepper powder for taste. Cook for 5–7 minutes only. If the leaves lack taste or have a bitter, astringent taste, cooked green gram (peeled) may be added towards the end and mixed well. Adding coconut to the greens makes them heavy to digest. It may be added only when the person has very good digestion.

1. Sili (pepper)
Get 1/2 kilo leaves of the plant and have it pounded fine. Apply the juice to the first or second degree burns.

2. Tanlad
Boil 1/4 kilo of tanlad roots. Drink 3 times a day. This is good for high blood pressure. Makes the blood normal.

3. Bawang
Skin 2 cloves of bawang. Put these in the mouth like candies. Eat it little by little. It is good for the heart. It makes a breathing normal.

4. Alagaw
Boil the leaves of alagaw. Drink it 3 times a day. This is good for Hika or Asthma.

5. Pepino
Eating pepino is good for diabetes. It helps the digestive system, too.

6. Carrot
Eat carrot to make your eyes.clearer.

7. Labanos
This is good for high blood pressure.

8. Malunggay
This is good for ulcers.

9. Roots of Malunggay
Boil the roots. Drink it. It is good for woman's menstruation.

10. Singkamas
The flowers of singkamas are good for vitamin C. It is a cure for manas.

11. Kamote leaves
Boil kamote leaves. Drink it regularly. It is good for diabetes.

12. Banana Juice
This is good for TB dis­ease. Collect banana juice from the banana plant (tree) in the morning during 4 days and drink it like tea, 3 times a day.

Fungi

FUNGI
Mushrooms, Puffballs, lichens, yeasts, and molds that grow on foods all belong to a special group of living things called fungi. Members of the fungi kingdom are neither plants nor animals. They absorb their food through networks of thin feeding threads.

Fungi were once thought to be plants, because many grow from the soil and do not move. Scientists now know that fungi and plants are very different. Unlike plants, fungi are not green and do not make their own food. Most fungi feed on dead animals and rotting plants. New fungi grow from tiny balls, called spores, which are released into the air.

Structure of a Mushroom
A mushroom has a stem, cap, and gills that produce spores. The cap is held above the ground so that escaping spores can be carried away by air currents. At the bottom of the stem are slender threads, or hyphae, that search for food.


Fungus Varieties

There are about 65,000 known types of fungi. They grow in soil, among leaf litter, on dead trees, and on living plants.


Mushroom Life cycle
1.Tiny spores released by a mushroom float away in the air.

2. A mass of hyphae grows under the ground from the spores.

3. above the soil, hyphae pack together to form a “button” mushroom.

4. A mushroom grows up and is soon ready to make new spores.
Fungi and Alga
A lichen is a joining of a fungus and a plantlike alga, which live together as one organism. The fungus protects the alga, and the alga makes food for the fungus. Lichens grow on rocks and tree trunks.

Poisonous Mushrooms
Some mushrooms contain poison to stop animals from eating them. This is why you
Should never pick mushrooms in the wild. No matter how colorful and pretty they look, they could be highly dangerous.

PLANT LIFE

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PLANT LIFE

Introduction
We couldn’t live without them, because they make the air fit for us to breathe.
We eat them, wear them, build homes with them, and burn them to make the energy to power our lives. Plants are truly humankind’s best friends.
plants are amazing. They cannot move to find food, so they have incredible ways of getting what they need. Some plants flower for just a day. Others are the oldest living things on earth. Plants can survive in dry deserts and on icy mountains, and they bring color and beauty to even the grayest city.
Flowering Plants
All flowering plants, from the tallest tree to the smallest daisy, have the same basic parts: a stem, roots, leaves, and flowers. Some such as the poppy have green stems and live for one or two years. Others, such as the cherry tree, have woody steams and usually live longer and grow larger. Flowering plants have slowly adapted so that they can live almost anywhere in the world.

PARTS OF A FLOWERING PLANT
A flowering plant, such as the poppy, has a strong stem that keeps the plant upright. The stem supports the leaves and flowers, and carries food around the plant. The leaves make food using sunlight. The flowers make seeds so more plants can grow. Below ground, the roots grow downward and sideways. They take water and minerals into the plant and anchor it firmly in the soil.

AMAZING FACTS
There are an incredible 3000,000 known species, or types, of plant in the world.Over 260,000 of these are flowering plants.

LIFE CYCLE OF A POPPY

All flowering plants grow from seeds. The seeds Germinate, or sprout, to produce a shoot and a root. The plant grows and makes the flowers, which produce New seeds. The seeds are scattered and grow into new Plants. This is called a life cycle.

FLOWERING TREES
A tree grows from a seed in the same way as a poppy. The tree’s stem is called the trunk. The trunk is thick and strong so the tree can grow tall. Branches grow out from the trunk and produce leaves, flowers, and seeds. Strong roots hold the tree in the ground.

Light for Life
Plants cannot move to find food, so they must make their own. To do this they use a gas from the air called carbon dioxide, water from the soil, and light energy from the Sun. The food-marking means “building with light,” and takes place in the plant’s leaves. Plants search for light and grow toward it.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Inside leaves are millions of tiny structures called chloroplasts. They are the plant’s “food factories,” where energy from sunlight joins carbon dioxide and water together. This process makes special sugars called glucose and sucrose.
There are foods for the whole plant. During photosynthesis, a waste gas called oxygen is made, which the plant releases into the air.

PLANT BREATHING

Respiration and photosynthesis are opposite plant processes. When plants respire, they take in oxygen to release energy and carbon dioxide. Plants respire all the time, even at night, when it is impossible for them to photosynthesize because of lack of sunlight. In daytime, oxygen-releasing photosynthesis is the main process.

BENDING TOWARD THE LIGHT

lants grow toward light. This response to light is called phototropism. As the sun moves across the sky, plants slowly follow it by bending. Some even tilt their leaves to face it.

How a plant works
To grow and survive, plants must move food and water to all their parts. The food they have made in their leaves by photosynthesis is moved to the rest of the plant in lots of tiny tubs. Water is also carried around the plant through tiny pipelines. These water-filled pipelines help the plants keep their shape.

Food and water carriers
Networks of tiny tubes called xylem and phloem carry water and food around the whole plant. Phloem carries food from where it is made in the leaves to where it is needed in the rest of the plant. Xylem carries water and minerals. Xylem and phloem together are called vascular tissue.
Veiny leaves
Veins carry water and food through the leaves. Plants lose water into the air through tiny holes, or stomata, on the underside of their leaves. As water is lost, more is sucked up the stem from the roots. This is called transpiration.

AMAZING FACTS
The world’s tallest tree is the giant sequoia. Water has to travel an incredible 84m(275ft) before it reaches the highest leaves at the very top of the tree.
Bottle trees
The baobab tree is found in hot, dry parts of Africa, India, and Australia. Its trunk holds water in the same way as a sponge, so the tree can survive in dry conditions. It is often called the bottle tree because its trunk is bottle-shaped.

Root hairs

Roots grow through the soil, searching for water. Near the end of the root tips are many tiny hairs. These hairs give the root a large surface area for taking in water from the soil.