Good morning Group,

I have listened to you talk about humidity and the "No effect " it has
on the Bonsai plant. Humidity play a significant roll in the nutriution
of a plant. The part of the respiration and transpiration of a plant.
A constant relative humidity (such as water under the plant then
inside) is important for the plant's nutritional makeup to reduce
stress to the plant whether in the winter, spring, summer or fall.

Below is a small section of the chapter in Plant Nutrition I'm writing.





Respiration

Carbohydrates made during photosynthesis are of value to the plant when
they are converted to energy. This energy is used in the building of new
tissues or in plant growth. Oxidation is the chemical process by which
sugars and starches produced by photosynthesis are converted to energy.
It is similar to burning wood or coal to produce heat. Controlled
oxidation in a living cell is known as respiration.

By now it should be clear that respiration is the reverse of
photosynthesis (Table 1.2). Unlike photosynthesis, respiration occurs at
night as well as during the day. Respiration occurs in all life forms
and in all cells. The release of accumulated carbon dioxide and the
uptake of oxygen occurs at the cell level. In plants, there is simple
diffusion into the open spaces within the leaf and exchange through the
stomatas.


Table 1.2. Comparison of Photosynthesis and Respiration.

Photosynthesis



Respiration

I . Produces food



1. Uses food for plant energy

2. Stores energy



2. Releases energy

3. Occurs in cells that contain chloroplasts



3. Occurs in all cells

4. Releases oxygen



4. Uses oxygen

5. Uses water



5. Produces water












Transpiration

Transpiration is the process by which a plant loses water primarily from
leaf stomata. Transpiration is a necessary process that uses about 90
percent of the water that enters the plant through the roots.
Transpiration is necessary for mineral transport from the soil to the
plant parts, for cooling plant parts through evaporation, to move sugars
and plant chemicals, and to maintain a turgor pressure. The amount of
water lost from the plant depends on several environmental factors, such
as temperature, humidity and wind or air movement. As temperatures or
air movement increase, transpiration increases. As humidity decreases,
transpiration increases.



In the winter time The plant reduces both transpiration and respiration
processes. The plant still needs the water intake from other sources;
such as the relative humidity from a water dish in the winter time as
the stomata (this reduces transpiration) will open to increase to take
in water vapor for photosynthesis needs.


hope this helps,

Bill Daniels

In Sunny California

















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