Writer gets to the bottom of roots

Roots are wondrous things. Some are coarse and rugged looking, such as those of red swallowwort. Others, such as those of milias, are so fine that one root is barely detectable from another. Some roots are eager to meet the soil, like those of the tomato, which adventitiously jut out from the stem well above the earth they hope to meet. Some are the source of calming medicinal preparations, while others offer us sustenance over the long winter months.

When seeds are sown, the fate of the plant produced from that seed is largely dependent on what happens to its roots. In fact, when a seed germinates, the first organ to appear is the root. It bursts through the seed coat and begins its crucial journey through the soil, anchoring the plant to the earth and gleaning nutrients for the stems and leaves above. The environment encountered by the root and the root’s subsequent care thoroughly determine what sort of plant – and in turn, what sort of produce in the form of food or flower – will develop from the seed.

The roots of some plants are most unusual. Love-in-a-mist, for example, produces bright yellow roots. Those of valerian have an intoxicating fragrance. The roots of devil’s bit scabious have a gnawed-at appearance, giving the plant its unusual common name – indicating that someone from below is responsible for the ragged root tips.

We use the term “root” to describe a variety of underground organs, including some plant parts that are technically swollen underground stems. With this expanded definition, of course, many roots are useful. The roots of carrots, radishes, turnips, sweet potatoes, parsnips, potatoes and beets are edible. The roots of valerian, coneflower and butterfly weed have important medicinal values.

Many of the roots we enjoy as foods function as storage organs in plants. Packed inside these swollen bodies is energy that protects the plant during periods of environmental stress. In some biennial plants, like parsley, a large taproot stores energy from which the plant emerges in the spring of the plant’s second year. In this case, the taproot serves as an insurance plan, increasing the plant’s chances of successfully producing flowers and in turn seed in its second season.

Physiologically speaking, a root is an amazing organ. The very tip of the root is composed of rapidly dividing cells, which form the “root apex.” This part of the root also contains the root cap, which protects the cells of the root from damage by harsh soil particles. The root apex drives through the soil, with the “zone of elongation” developing in its wake. The “zone of maturation” is that part of the root that develops root hairs, which are critical in accessing water and nutrients.

Whether roots are unusual or useful, for the gardener, little could be more important than caring properly for our plant’s roots. This care begins in spring when we amend our soils with lush compost, manure and other purposeful amendments. Adding organic matter to the soil and working it into what will be our plant’s root zone is an important first step in ensuring our plants nutrient needs will be met. These amendments typically also serve to retain moisture in the soil, protecting our crops from drought.

Caring for our plant’s roots also comes into play during the transplanting process. The roots of potted trees, shrubs and perennials should be handled carefully during transplanting. They should be gingerly pulled from the pot and carefully unwoven if found in a root-bound condition. They should be well irrigated to ease their trauma during their rooting-in period in the garden.

Many gardeners have witnessed plants growing in amazingly difficult environments. A spring of grass grows in a crack of a concrete sidewalk. Cardinal flower thrives in standing water. Alpine asters grow in ledge atop a harsh New England mountain. Pearly everlasting and daylily thrive along the steep gravely banks of back roads.

Plants are able to live in these difficult places largely because of their roots. The garden, of course, need not be one of those difficult places. They may well be equipped to deal with less-than-perfect care, but be kind to the roots of your plants. Feed them, water them well, and reap their rewards with gratitude!

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, 512 North Ridge Road, Montville 04941 or e-mail dianagc@midcoast.com. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.