How does a plant cutting know when to start sprouting new roots? Where does it get the nutrients to make them?
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The plant chemistry knows that there needs to be a balance between roots and sprouts. If there are plenty nutrients in the soil, the plant does not need to put a lot of energy in its root system and can put most of the energy and nutrients into the sprouts. Optimizing its success to make new seeds.
If there are not enough nutrients or some of its roots system is cut away, it will know to put energy in creating new roots to get sufficient nutrients.
How does the plant “know”? It is about the balance in chemicals. Not enough nutrients: make roots. Plenty of nutrients, but not much building blocks for leaves and branches: put energy in creating more leaves.
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