Circular Whisper: A Plant’s Tale A 4 - PA R T S T O R Y - PA R T 2 , S E L F - S A B O T A G E WORDS AND PHOTOS KAT DONNELLY
Here we are, two weeks into trying to make it in an artificial medium under artificial lights. My tap root is missing, and I can’t
“You know if we lose a few days, it’ll throw off the whole rotation. Do whatever it takes to make it work.”
feel the vibrations of Father Sun and Mother Earth anymore. My
With a thud, we’re alone again. I notice my drooping
sisters and I wonder why we can’t go back outside to be with our
leaves - or what’s left of them, anyway. New growth comes
mothers and our living community above and below the earth.
so slowly now. I am trying to will my tips up to pray to the
We sense the humans approaching us and can feel the concern in their voices as they speak to each other. “Any idea what’s going on with these clones?” We knew
few frequencies that are still available. I need to collect the energy from the light, but it’s difficult. Without the sun and the earth, I can’t produce my own sunscreens and insect
the other humans called this one the investor. “Where
repellents. I sense my sisters are also struggling, but our
did you get them?” He sounded weary and confused.
communications channels are weak and beginning to fail.
Our Master Grower replied hopefully, “We got them from an
We have been sprayed with something that makes me
outdoor field in the Emerald Triangle. Don’t worry; the plants
feel heavy. It closed my pores and changed my pH, and now
are trying to adapt... Yesterday, we adjusted the temps and
I can’t feel the light as strongly. The spray killed most of
humidity. We’re dialing it all in to get ahead of what could
the insects, but more keep coming. Sometimes there are
be another powdery mildew flare-up caused by the heat from
insects from far-off places that I’ve never before experienced.
the lights. Don’t worry, though. We’ve got it under control.”
These foreign insects and chemicals remind me that my
“How did these plants ever survive outside?” the investor replies sardonically. “When do you think you’ll be moving them into flower? We need to sell the flowers soon.” “Another week or so, but I think these need a
immune system is failing and that we are all weak. The artificial light coming from above is oppressive to the humans that come and go and to us. It is intensely bright, but we can feel that there is less than a quarter of the
few extra days,” says the Master Grower, as she
frequencies we used to get from the sun shining down on us.
tenderly runs her fingertips over our leaves.
I remember the comforting tingle of ultraviolet (UV) energy
“That won’t do. We need to keep the schedule.” The voices are growing fainter as they move out the door.
that I never feel these days. Without UV, our trichomes, flavonoids, cannabinoids, and more will never express their full
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