Frequently Asked Questions

Eggplant, or *Solanum melongena*, is indeed a fruit botanically speaking. It develops from the flower's ovary and contains seeds, which are defining characteristics of fruits. Though often used culinarily as a vegetable, its reproductive function places it firmly in the fruit category alongside tomatoes and peppers.

As a botany expert, I'm delighted to help! Many plants do emit distinctive scents, which are often a result of volatile organic compounds. These fragrant molecules can serve various ecological purposes, such as attracting pollinators like bees or butterflies, or deterring herbivores with unpleasant aromas. The specific scent, if any, would depend entirely on the particular plant species in question.

To accurately identify the cultivar of these "chonkers," we need more information. Cultivar identification often relies on specific morphological characteristics such as leaf shape and venation, flower structure and color, fruit characteristics, and overall growth habit. Without these details, a definitive identification is challenging. Observation of distinct features like growth form, pigmentation, or unique reproductive structures would be helpful for a more precise botanical classification.

Avocado trees grown from seed often produce fruit that is not true to the parent, meaning the flavor and texture can differ greatly. It can also take 5-13 years for a seedling to fruit, and some may never produce. For reliable edible fruit, it's best to cultivate a grafted tree, which guarantees the desired varietal characteristics.

While an avocado seed can sprout and grow in water initially, maintaining a mature plant indefinitely requires a nutrient-rich substrate like soil. Water propagation is excellent for germination, but for sustained growth, flowering, and fruiting, the plant needs a consistent supply of macronutrients and micronutrients that plain water cannot provide long-term.

Avocado seeds typically take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to sprout, though some may take longer, up to several months. This variability is due to factors like the seed's viability, the warmth and humidity of its environment, and consistent water supply. Patience is key when germinating avocado seeds!

While cypress knees are famously associated with cypress trees, they are not entirely unique in their adaptive function. Some other wetland trees, like mangroves and certain cypress relatives such as baldcypress, develop similar pneumatophores or "breathing roots." These structures help facilitate gas exchange in waterlogged, anoxic soils, allowing the trees to thrive in challenging environments where oxygen is scarce.

Cypress knees are distinctive woody projections rising from the roots of bald cypress trees, often found in swampy or wetland environments. Their precise function remains a subject of ongoing scientific study, but prevalent theories suggest they play a role in gas exchange, particularly in oxygenating the root system in anaerobic waterlogged soils. They might also provide structural support, anchoring the tree in soft substrates.

The Strelitzia reginae, or Bird of Paradise, typically flowers after 3-5 years from seed. However, environmental factors like ample sunlight, warm temperatures, consistent watering, and well-draining soil significantly influence its blooming schedule. Mature plants provided optimal conditions often produce their vibrant, bird-like inflorescences reliably each spring and summer.

To determine if outdoor cannabis is ready for harvest, observe the trichomes. A pocket microscope or jeweler's loupe (not necessarily a macro lens) is highly recommended for accurate inspection. Harvest when most trichomes are cloudy/milky, indicating peak THC, with a small percentage turning amber for a more relaxing effect. Also, note the pistils, which should be mostly brown and curled inward.