Bee Flora

Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers (male part) to the stigma (female part) of the flowers, allowing the fertilization of the flower and subsequent future development. To better understand the plant-bee, it is necessary to know the parts and functions of the flower.
In a typical flower, we find pieces that are named calyx, corolla, nectary, and androcele ginocele (stamens).

Chalice, formed by sepals, is part of the flower usually green. It is the base of the flower. The corolla is made up of petals, which are colored.

These two parts of the flower, the calyx and the corolla, are attractive and ornamental feature of great importance to attract the bees.

The nectary secretes a sugary liquid called nectar. The bees collect the nectar, dehydrated in the hive and make it into honey.

Androcele is the male organ of the flower, composed of the stamens which are formed by the stamens and anthers. In the anthers are produced pollen grains that bees collect for food, as the main protein source.

The ginocele is the female organ of the flower, consisting of the pistils, which are formed by the stigma, style and ovary. Inside the ovary are the ovules, which will originate the seeds.

There are two types of pollination: self-pollination and cross pollination.

Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower or another flower of the same plant. In the latter case, self-pollination is also called direct or autogamous pollination.

Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of another flower of the same species, but separate plants. In this case the cross-pollination can also be called outcrossing. In nature, this kind of pollination is the most advantageous since it allows the formation of new genetic combinations that favors the formation of seeds, creating new plants more vigorous and productive. For this to occur, the plants develop some defense mechanisms, such as:

Monoecious, when the plant is unisexual flowers on the same individual.

Dioecy, when the plant is unisexual flowers on different individuals: protandry in the male organ and the first mature protogyny opposite is true.

Dichogamy, when the sexual organs of the same plant mature at different times: in the male organ protandry mature protogyny first and the opposite happens.

Heterostylous, when elements of the flowers, the stamens and pistils have different dimensions.

Self-sterility, when the flower is pollinated by its own pollen, but not fertilized.

In front of some defense mechanisms that plants have to avoid self-pollination, several pollinators that favor cross-pollination, with the wind, animals, water and insects.

Of all the insects are most important, mainly bees, which developed appropriate mechanisms in its evolution to become excellent pollinators, such as hair throughout the body, which favor the transport of pollen grains and its efficient communication system that allows indicate a bee jacket rapidly to all the other bees the location of a flower.

The plants in turn, to ensure the perpetuation of the species, also developed mechanisms to attract bees, such as:

Colors: Bees differ either yellow, green, blue and violet and are attracted to these colors.
Aroma: The bees are very sensitive to smell and easily trained to visit flowers with specific odors. It is customary to advise beekeepers to marinate some flowers of large plantations and mixed with syrup, which will be offered to feed the bees themselves, in order to train them to associate the smell of a particular food source.

Form: the shape of the flower helps to highlight it in the foliage and also favors the approach of the bee.

Nectar is the main attraction of the bee. It is located in the nectaries, which may be floral and extrafloral. These are found in the stem, leaf, petiole, etc.. and those inside the flower, inside the corolla at the base of the ovary, to attract bees and provide pollination of flowers. The secretion of nectar inside the flower starts at the time of flower opening and stops after fertilization.

Ornamental From Wikipedia

Ornamental From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An ornamental plant is a plant grown for its ornamental qualities, rather than for its commercial or economic value. They are usually grown outdoors (in public or private gardens and parks), but also indoors (house plants).

The cultivation of ornamental plants is very old and dates back to ancient times, humans have always tried to beautify and make more welcoming their surroundings.

The most common ornamental plants are grown for their flowers, however, their ornamental qualities may be related to other characteristics such as color and appearance of the foliage or bark, their port (tree , vine, bush, ...) that can be changed in size, especially in the case of the topiary art, or culture conditions (bonsai), but also fruits, stems, scent that they emerge ... In some cases it may be an unusual character, such as spines prominent and somewhat murderous Rosa sericea f. pteracantha.

Ornamental plants may belong to different categories depending on the desired effect and the location where you want to grow it. They can be herbs, annuals, biennials or perennials, woody plants, trees, shrubs shrubs. They can be grown in open ground in the greenhouse or conservatory, or in pots. In all cases, the approval of gardeners and visitors who are looking for. Ornamental plants can be grown in a goal for the landscape or cut flower.

Some ornamental plants become, under the effect of a particular action of the gardener. This applies, for example shrubs cultivated for topiary who would lose their character ornamental in the absence of regular sizes. It is also of grass to be mowed frequently.

Plants and ornamental trees are distinguished from plants for economical production, which are the subject of agriculture or forestry. This should not preclude a particular species can be both the subject of an economic culture and appreciated in a garden for its ornamental qualities. For example, lavender is typically an ornamental plant in gardens, but can also be cultivated for the production of essential oil of lavender.

Aquarium Plants

Plants are a very important part of freshwater aquariums. It is better to take the trouble to choose the plants carefully and well cared for. Aquatic plants are not only pretty in the aquarium, but they are also good for fish. They give shade to fish, they will appreciate if they are shy. Some fish use plants as a nest for spawning. For fish feeding on plants they also serve food. Of course in some tanks, for example with a heavy eater of plants cichlids, plants are already doomed and it is better to choose plastic plants.
The water gardening is almost identical to normal gardening. Plants require good conditions and care. They make their food themselves in strange green cells by absorbing carbon dioxide and release oxygen in a process called photosynthesis. For this process light is needed.

Plant Nutrition:
Like terrestrial plants, aquatic plants need nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. They usually draw in the water, but some of them draw from the roots. In some plants the trace elements are more important than others. But give in to all plants. The best is to use micro-nutrients that are especially made for aquariums. Plants need iron to make chlorophyll, the green pigment that is essential for photosynthesis. Other elements such as copper and zinc are involved in other metabolic processes.

Carbon dioxide:
Carbon dioxide is part of photosynthesis and supports the optimal development of the plant. A bottle of carbon dioxide equipped with a regulator should keep the level of 5 to 12 mg / l. Higher levels can damage the liver of fish. Such dosing devices are based on those who are employed in the gardens of greenhouses. The metering devices are the simplest ones that can be placed manually and have more sophisticated bands measuring pH and they are even connected to a lighting circuit, so they stop with the light.

Light:
The plants still need plenty of light and their needs may increase in proportion to the length of the aquarium. The optimum power of light for maximum growth of plants should be 3-5 watts per 4.5 liters of water. An extended lighting time 12-16 hours helps growth, but may be too long for many tropical plants subequatorial. They may be adjusted to 12 hours of light, but the influence on plants is 10 hours. Some plants like a dimmer, especially Anubias that need to be planted near or under other plants.