Plants wilt from too little water or too much water or from too much or too little of the various nutrients.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Because the intake of water by plant roots is less than the outgo of water from the leaves.

This is one of those rare things I remember from High School biology class when we studied plant science. It's called Turgor Pressure. It describes the ability of the cells of a plant to take water in through osmosis until they reach of state of internal pressure that causes rigidity. When the water is lost, it is said to be plasmoliyzed. This loss of internal pressure on the cellular level can not support the plant and causes wilting. Turgor pressure depends on cell volume. With an increase in cell volume there is an increase in cell wall rigidity, which leads to lower cell wall plasticity. Turgor pressure also plays a key role in plant cell growth. It's amazing the things that stick with you! And I really didn't have that great a biology teacher.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum