Re: rocks
- Subject: Re: rocks
- From: "gentian21" g*@insightBB.com
- Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 15:44:28 -0600
Another reason why plants like rocks is for the minerals. Many of the
dryland plants that are hard to grow will grow great if the are given
mineral supplements. Minerals also increase drought and cold tolerance.
Where there are a lot of rocks the temperature is much more constant that
soil. A gravel mulch helps but if there is rock underneath it is more
significant. When there are big rocks the root tips can touch the rocks and
catch rainwater or dew that forms on the surface rock. That is why plants
like rock ferns actually require hot rocky places. Many seeds will only
germinate if they fall between stones.
Frank Cooper
central Illinois zone 5
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