Innovation takes root at UVic — upside down
Growing trees with their roots suspended in air is one of the plant tricks on display in University of Victoria research greenhouses for Ideafest.
C. Peter Constabel, a biology professor and director of the UVic Centre for Forest Biology, said a UVic plant researcher is growing poplar, lavender and cedar — without soil or any growing medium whatsoever — by spraying the roots directly with water and nutrients.
“It allows you to get at the roots without have to deal with all the dirt,” Constabel said.
Ideafest is a week-long series of demonstrations, discussions, lectures and performances staged free at UVic for all those interested.
Plant biologists at the university conduct their research at the Glover Greenhouse.
By adjusting such elements of the growing environment as light, temperature, nutrients and moisture, researchers can observe how plants respond.
Constabel called the roots-inair technique “aeroponics.” That’s as opposed to hydroponics, in which plants are grown with the roots immersed in a solution of water and nutrients.
In both cases, the roots are accessible for researchers.
Constabel said the researcher using the aeroponic technique is interested in the chemicals used and produced by roots as they grow and sustain the above-ground portion of a plant or tree.
Besides growing plants in air, researchers also grow them in gelatin in chambers, again adjusting conditions.
They also keep a few fun plants around for the novelty — including insect-capturing, carnivorous plants such as sundews and pitcher plants.
A Guided Greenhouse Tour will take place Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Glover Greenhouse, opposite the Bob Wright Building.