🌿 Loren's Plants

🏙️ What makes Calgary different

Calgary is one of the sunniest cities in Canada — excellent for light-hungry plants. But the heating season (Oct–Apr) drops indoor humidity to desert levels (20–35%). Tropical houseplants originate in 60–80% humidity rainforests. A humidifier is the single highest-impact investment for Calgary plant owners.

🫁 Respiration

Plants respire 24/7 — breaking down glucose to release energy. Unlike photosynthesis, this happens even at night and consumes oxygen. Net effect: plants are oxygen producers because photosynthesis exceeds respiration during daylight hours.

💧 Transpiration

Water moves from roots → stems → leaves and evaporates through tiny pores called stomata. This cools the plant, drives nutrient uptake, and adds moisture to indoor air. Tropical plants transpire heavily — in Calgary's dry air they can lose water stress-inducingly fast.

🌙 Nyctinasty (Leaf Movement)

Prayer Plants and other Marantaceae fold their leaves upward at night and open flat by morning. This is driven by pulvini — swollen hinge cells at the base of each leaf that expand and contract in response to light changes. The movement is completely normal and fascinating to watch.

🔬 What plants need

• Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N) for growth, Phosphorus (P) for roots & flowers, Potassium (K) for overall health
• Light: Drives photosynthesis. More light = more energy = faster growth
• Water: Carrier for nutrients; keeps cells turgid
• Humidity: Slows water loss through leaves; prevents crispy tips
• Temperature: Controls enzyme activity — most tropicals prefer 18–27°C