Beachneiden

While generally true that more leaves increase a plant's capacity for photosynthesis, The formula....."maximum leaves = maximum energy = maximum growth" is not scientifically accurate. Plant growth is limited by an "optimum" number of leaves, not a maximum. Beyond a certain point, extra leaves become a liability, consuming more energy through respiration than they produce. Here is a breakdown of why this relationship breaks down: 1. The "Diminishing Returns" Law Self-Shading: In a dense canopy, upper leaves shade lower ones. The shaded leaves receive insufficient light for photosynthesis but still consume energy for maintenance, reducing the plant’s net energy gain. Respiratory Costs: Every leaf produced requires energy to construct and maintain. If a leaf is in the shade, its,, respiration rate can exceed its photosynthetic rate (net photosynthesis becomes negative). Diminishing Returns: Larger leaf area often results in a disproportionately lower increase in photosynthesis. 2. The Resource Bottleneck (Nutrients & Water) Water Loss: A maximum amount of leaves means maximum surface area, leading to high water loss through transpiration. In dry environments, this can cause the plant to close its stomata to save water, halting photosynthesis. Nutrient Limitation: Even if a plant has excessive leaves, growth is limited by the shortest supply of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen or iron) in the soil, according to Liebig’s "Law of the Minimum". 3. Energy Allocation (Leaf vs. Fruit/Root) Over-investment: Studies on crops like soybeans have shown that too many leaves can reduce yield. Plants may over-invest in leaf biomass at the expense of developing fruits, seeds, or roots. Optimal Leaf Area Index (LAI): Agriculture focuses on an "optimum LAI"—the perfect balance of leaves to maximize light interception without unnecessary respiratory costs. Summary of Exceptions Leafy Vegetables: For crops like lettuce or spinach, the leaf is the product, so maximizing leaf number is closer to maximizing harvestable yield. Young Plants: In early growth stages, more leaves usually mean faster growth (exponential growth). Competition: In crowded environments, a plant might produce excess leaves to shade out competitors, which aids survival but not necessarily the individual plant's maximum potential growth. Conclusion: Maximum leaves = Maximum maintenance costs + Reduced efficiency. Optimal leaves = Maximum growth.

joa, ich denke das passt noch. Sie weiß jetzt genau auf was es ankommt, Buds produzieren :)

Hi 🙋‍♂️, Ist leider wirklich ein wenig kahl geworden, aber lässt sich jetzt nicht mehr ändern. Mach beim nächsten Mal wirklich nur die ganz untersten Weg & schau von oben drauf und entferne nur die großen die andere buds verdecken… manchmal ist weniger mehr. Sieht trotzdem allgemein sehr solide aus. Viel Erfolg im weiteren Verlauf 👊🤞🏽👌

You say in your diary that you removed the leaves so that the plant "can put all of its energy into the flowers". Where do you think this energy comes from? ALL of the plants energy to grow (flowers), comes from/is made by the leaves. Energy does not come from anywhere else. Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential growth............. Or to put it another way... Maximum amount of leaves = maximum energy production = maximum growth.

there spot on, from the side they look a little bare but from the top theres no holes in the canopy so good going.nice1