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Life in the clouds

Making It Grow Radio Minute
Provided
/
SC Public Radio
Making It Grow, hosted by Amanda McNulty

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Epiphytic orchid roots don’t grow into the host plant, but they have fascinating adaptions to life in the clouds. They contain chlorophyll and boost the plants’ production of sugars. They also have a remarkable adaption to absorb and hold water when it rains. Their aerial roots have a living green tip with an area of dead cells called velamen. When it rains, these dead cells expand and fill up with water. The orchid can use this stored water to keep the entire plant hydrated. If you grow orchids at home apparently you can see this velamen area change color when you water them and then fade back to gray as the water is used up. Our friend Christopher Burtt collects orchids; some of them aren’t even planted in what passes for orchid soil.

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Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.