On my online workbook this week: A shade around there, probably… maybe

Dear

This week's inspiration is searching for signs of autumn

My tip for you this week is about getting super curly tendrils on stems.

When first formed the tendrils on vines are straight. When it finds something to support the plant with, the tendril starts to wrap around that. It shortens to pull itself closer to support the plant by starting to coil tighter and tighter. When you cut vines you either have straight tendrils at the tip of the stems or have to risk breaking the pretty coils by unwinding the tendrils from a support. My trick to get dramatic and curly tendrils is to cut the vines with straight tendrils and condition them in bud vases. Gently run your finger down the underside of the vines to trigger movement quicker if you are in a hurry. The vines continue to develop and grow once cut and the tendrils will first search from side to side for structural support and if they don’t find anything they return to the main stem and start spiralling.

Amazing, right? This behaviour is controlled by chemical responses to the environment (light, heat, touch, chemical signals from the soil, air and other plants etc) by the plant hormones. As we move the plant the tips get touched and they start searching.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: there are two new Tutorials for you to look at this week.