HOME AND GARDEN: DIG IT!

Plant Flattery

by Michelle Riley

This plant has scientists stumped. Mimicry, certainly not a stranger to the plant kingdom, is usually a very selfish act.

Examples of plant mimicry can be found within a handful of orchid varieties whose flowers imitate a female insect. The best part, the orchid can also mimic the pheromone of quite a few female insects. All of this, just to entice the male insect to mistakenly mate with the imposter flower.

The flower wins, and the insect, well, he has not shared his side of the story.

Plant mimicry always has a payout for the act of deception with a few exceptions.

There are two reasons plants will mimic another plant. They either are attracting a pollinator or they are trying to blend in and hide from a predator.

As much as is known about plant mimicry, there is so much more not known.

Take Boquila trifoliolata, for example.

Native to the forests of Chile and Argentina, Boquila has scientists scratching their heads.

The Boquila is a vine that crawls across the forest floor looking for a host. Once contact has been made with the host, the Boquila mimics the host plant by imitating the leaves.

Just like a chameleon replicates the colors of its surroundings, this plant replicates the leaf shape and colors of the host.

Seems like simple science, but it is far from it.

Scientists believed the Boquila vine was using scent communication to mimic the DNA of the host plant. All well and good, until someone decided to place an artificial plant next to the Boquila.

The Boquila promptly replicated the artificial plant’s leaves. Scientists are now asking, Can plants see?

It is known that plants have sensory stimulus.

They communicate through intricate root system interaction. They spread fragrance to send out warnings of predators to neighboring plants. They can feel another plant’s presence, an animal’s presence, and an insect’s presence.

For many years we have been discovering that plants are more social than we realize, and now, it seems, we are discovering they have been watching all along.

Michelle Riley is a local horticulturist, landscape designer, and consultant. She is the founder of the gardening subscription service, https://theplantmall.com; https:// michellerileyhorticulturist.com; and https://neohiogarden.com. She also is the president of All About You Signature Landscape Design, Inc. Learn more about Riley at https://bit.ly/3BavKLk Riley can be contacted at Info@MichelleRileyHorticulturist.com or by calling 234-678-8266.

Goals and Bikes are Within Reach

by Robert Soroky

Like many, visions of a more buff and healthier you for 2023 may have been dancing in your head since scarfing down the last of the holiday leftovers.

Part of that vision might even have included you flying around on a brand-new bike.

Unfortunately, a struggling economy, high prices and a lighter pocketbook, courtesy of the season of giving, may have made that vision downright foggy.

Ever consider getting a used bike? It might not sound very glamorous, but shopping smart can lead to scoring big.

When it comes to used bikes, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Make a reputable bike shop the first stop. Many shops take used bikes as trade-ins toward new bikes. Shops tend to have strict guidelines for accepting trade-ins and accept only quality bikes in fairly decent condition.

A shop’s goal is to take a trade-in bike, tune it up to like new and sell it as a used bike.

What this means to consumers is that they are assured of getting high-quality used bikes, tuned up by a professional mechanic, and they can expect many solid riding years to come.

Be wary of buying used bikes sight unseen off the internet. Unfortunately, you do not know what you are getting, and some sellers can be less than reputable.

Keep in mind that a tune-up for a used bike is a good idea and while that is included in the pricing of the bike at a shop, it is an additional cost of between $80 and $100 for a used bike from a private seller.

Finally, remember size matters when it comes to bikes. Adult bike frames can range from extra small to extra large. Bikes should be sized to the rider for the best ride and highest level of comfort to encourage many years of riding enjoyment.

Hopping on a used new-to-you bike might be just the right way to tackle that New Year’s resolution, get the buff body desired, and save a few dollars along the way!

Robert Soroky is a lifelong cyclist who regularly participates in long-distance charity rides and is the manager of the Century Cycles Medina location. To learn more about Soroky, go to https://bit.ly/3Vof7DX Contact Soroky at robert@centurycycles. com to suggest column topics, for further information or to chat about bikes.