Bonsai of the Future?

Science Daily — Forest scientists at Oregon State University have used genetic modification to successfully manipulate the growth in height of trees, showing that it's possible to create miniature trees that look similar to normal trees -- but after several years of growth may range anywhere from 50 feet tall to a few inches.

This is an interesting story about Oregon State University forest scientists controlling the height of trees through genetic modification. They’re outdoor trees, but who knows what the future holds for more and better plants adapted for use in buildings.

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e-mail Bob Hyland
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We Need Water! Now!

Here’s some more plant technology from Bolder, this time from the University of Colorado researchers in the CU-Boulder's BioServe Space Technology Center.

Who knows what this might lead to regarding maintenance of plants in buildings. All ideas, whether seeming wild and crazy, are welcome. Can we just get beyond the finger.

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Sorry that comments don’t work. There's a software bug that I don't know how to fix. Please email your comments, questions and suggestions until I can get comments working again. Thanks!
e-mail Bob Hyland
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Mozilla Firefox Blog Coming

The Firefox browser with Google toolbar is the engine that drives this blog. It’s the first thing to crank up when I start my computer.

Just read that a Mozilla Firefox blog is on the way. Good idea! I’ll be reading it for sure.

You have one message...

Your Pothos called. Whew! Glad we've got that problem solved.

Note the range of comments, including umbrage taken. Interesting!

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Sorry, but comments don’t work. There's a software bug that I don't know how to fix. Please email your comments, questions and suggestions until I can get comments working again. Thanks!
e-mail Bob Hyland
bobhyland[AT]insideplantslive.org

Digital Plants in Buildings

I’ll do whatever I can to encourage the use of plants in buildings including virtual reality. If you're wondering about radiosity as I was here's the answer.

Really Inside Plants

There's a new meaning for the words inside plants.

Doubting Green Thumbs

I long ago experienced the ornamental horticulture world having somewhat of a techno-averse attitude. The roots of this likely started back in the ‘70s when what were referred to as ‘flower children’ flocked to ornamental horticulture programs across the U.S.

I was there in the middle of it at Cal Poly, except that I was forty, not twenty, and had already experienced a lengthy career in the computer industry with IBM and NCR. I was therefore comfortable with technology, marketing and big business.

Technology is often an affront to a ‘green thumb’ self image when it should not be. For example, if I had not been very hands on in implementing sub-irrigation in my interior plantscaping company, it would likely have failed because of resistance to technology. It succeeded dramatically, however, and those with open minds learned something new while those with closed minds moved on.

I experience the same dynamic existing in the houseplant market today and believe it contributes to stagnation of the business. To experience this, all you need do is spend time on some of the houseplant forums. There’s not much room for progressive thinking. I experienced this first hand by posting for a time on the largest Internet houseplant forum.

It is, in my opinion, one of the worst venues for a newbie to learn about houseplant care. One needs to be an expert just to filter out fact from fiction and it’s not easy.

The business desperately needs you who are horticultural technologists to come forward and share your knowledge. I know you're out there. What's more, I know many of you by name.

Photosynthesis Power

Photosynthesis may one day be powering more than our houseplants. Mothers, of course, have always known the power of spinach.