Do plants fart?

Originally Posted by grampz

.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.........

........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...

... 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...

Respectfully
Behr

Originally Posted by BrianBay9

If by "fart" you mean release methane, then no, higher plants do not until they are decomposing in a compost heap. Bacteria, on the other hand, can fart.....bacteria in cow (or other mamamal's) stomachs, and bacteria in salt marshes both release methane.