PARTHENOCARPIA

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health Care
Written By Peter Morris

What is in a name ?

 Parthenocarpia is a scientific word derived from classical Greek - Parthenos (virgin)  + Karpos (fruit). It refers to fruit that can grow and mature without any viable seeds inside.Fertilization triggers the formation of an embryo (inside the seed).  In plants this releases hormones which are responsible for the production of the associated fruit.  But not all the time!  Sometimes fruit is made without the eggs being fertilized.BTW it also occurs in some animals – it is called parthenogenesis. 

Natural occurrence

 Some plants evolved a natural form we call genuine parthenocarpia.  This occurs in pineapples, grapes, bananas, pears, figs and citrus.  They typically will have none or only rudimentary seeds.  Completely seedless grapes are a coincidental product -  a whim of nature.Plant Specialists can help you grow seedless grapes in your home garden or rooftop ! Ask our Design Team for assistance in planning and set up.

The common banana variety we eat (Cavendish) is parthenogenic.

 

A species banana will have tons of seeds!

 

Naturally occurring seedless grape

 

External stimuli

 Sometimes an external stimuli (temperature and humidity) will release the hormone and spontaneous parthenocarpy begins.  In apples or pears it can also be caused by the mechanical stimulation of the ovary, or if the ovary is damaged from frost.

Seedless pear with empty carpels !

 Apart from some seedless fruit, there are some plants that produce stunted, very soft seeds.  They are there but are usually not felt at all when eating. This is not the same, and of course has a totally different name - stenospermocarpia. LORD! 

Plant Auxins

 Virginity can also be artificially induced by treating the flowers with auxins (natural plant hormones). This is how growers make seedless eggplant, cucumbers, watermelon and tomatoes. The list grows daily. 

Common to find now – Virgin seedless watermelon !

 

Seedless tomato - the white “seeds” you see are actually empty carpels.

  

           Need help growing seedless tomatoes ? - Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

Our Garden care Team can treat the flowers with a natural plant auxin.

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

 

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

   Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK       

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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