Do plants fart?

grampz

A very definite yes...

Mr. Brian, I certainly mean no disrespect...Obviously you are familiar with the 1967 government study [funded by ‘big oil’] that determined the flatulence of cows [cow farts] contribute more to the ‘greenhouse effect’ than petroleum emissions, but may I remind you of a later study [again funded by ‘the large oil’ companies] that determined trees and forests also contribute to the ‘greenhouse effect’ more than petroleum emissions...I realize you are educated and work in the field of biotech, and I certainly appreciate your comments from a scientific viewpoint...However, I did notice in your profile that you have only been doing bonsai for 7 years...As we have been reminded on numerous occasions one does not qualify to have answers concerning things related to bonsai with anything less than 10 or 15 years experience, so, I would hardly think this would qualify you to make a definitive comment on whether or not trees grown in ‘bonsai culture’ pass methane gas [fart] or not...

From personal experience I have not been able to ascertain whether or not conifers and other temperate trees are prone to “farting”, but can certainly verify that tropical species do “fart” on occasion...I first observed this phenomenon when I erected my first greenhouse, and assume it was the result of the closed environment trapping the hydrogen sulfide gas allowing me to “smell” the odor...

Perhaps judging from your comment this is a result of the activity of certain bacteria, possibly trapped or contained within the stoma or other cells of the bonsai tree... I have, however, noticed the type of fertilizer I use does create a difference in my ‘ofactory observations’...When I was using organic fertilizer the odor produced by the tropical trees in the greenhouse was more of the nature of the ‘flatulence of a cow’ [bovine fart], but now that I am using only non-organic fertilizers the odor is more like the ‘eructation of the cow’ [bovine belch]...

I do realize this information is not sufficient to say without any doubt that trees in fact do “fart”, however, I believe it possibly warrants further study, rather than just saying “No, trees do not fart”...There is also the possibility, as Mr. Wes has pointed out, that the roots of the bonsai tree is the source of “tree farts”...I think we have all experienced the effect, and witnessed those ‘tale-tale’ bubbles caused by the relaxing qualities of a warm bath...

Mr. Elm, Hang around, you just may learn something new...

Ms. Joanie, very interesting question...Perhaps I should get some of those for my greenhouse...

Mr. Hans, Thanks for the comment...That reminds me of the elderly lady who was always hitting the dog with her cane, saying "shame on you, get outside when you do that"...

Respectfully
Behr

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he could have sworn he heard some
one saying rather loudly...
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San Antonio Bonsai Society, Inc.

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bwaynef

The first part of the quote above is arrogance exemplified.

As regards the second part, it could be contended that the question at hand deals more with the biology of trees rather than their behavior as bonsai, thereby nullifying your earlier contention that Brian's 7 years is insufficient to answer.


Regards,
wf


<edit> I initially shrugged off that he was being sarcastic since he went into such a scientifically and sincere sounding rant. I should have reconsidered as this is in the "Humor" section. Post left as is for the sake of clarity (see quote below).)</edit>

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carmi

Regarding this thread, do anybody still wonder why fewer and fewer serious Bonsai enthusiasts writing in this forum?
Is this really Bonsai humor?

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Shalom (Peace),
Moshe.

Colors are an optic illusion of light – As viewers for the bonsai creation. M.S.C.

Joanie

Carmi, we have always had humor as an element of this forum. That's why we have an area for it.

For many people on the forum, we are in the depths of winter, so there isn't much to talk about or show. We always welcome, and look forward to, more serious discussions.

Joanie

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carmi

Joanie,
I am here quite a long time, but there is a humor and there is humor... anyhow have fun.

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Shalom (Peace),
Moshe.

Colors are an optic illusion of light – As viewers for the bonsai creation. M.S.C.

RedPine

Well as we all know Grampz has about 4 or 5 years worth of bonsai, and since 4+5=9 what can you really say?

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RedPine

Hans,


There is a certain species of spider that is known to mimic the sound of a tree fart as a way of frighting it's prey into submission. Perhaps Missus Hans would be lead to believe this type of spider is common in your area?

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rockm

Trees have been noted contributors of hydrocarbon haze in the Southeastern Applachians. The Blue Ridge and SMoky Mountains got their names from the hydrocarbon haze emitted from trees there. The haze has gotten thicker in the last 50 years do to human pollution, but the haze was present before that additional cloudiness...

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/air/blue.rxml

Jeez, someone open a window...

nsmar4211

Hans,
So first, you blame the little trees for all your money dissappearing.
Then, you blame the little trees for all your free time dissappearing.
Now, you blame the trees for WHAT?!?!? Just admit it, that was YOU!


Grampz,
Very well written load of bovine effluence. Love it!

Good point about the carviorous plants, that is decomposition which could lead to the production of methane gas.... where's an intern when you need one?

I wanna know who sat around with the probe measuring the cows, errrrr, output?

And measuring a trees output would be tricky too. Sure, you could put a seedling in a controlled environment and measure the in vs. out of gasses, but who says that's accuarate when taken to the size of a "big" tree?