Schwaggy P
Well-Known Member
Well, there was never a section on botany specifically in any Chem/Physics class I took or taught if you’re looking for an obvious link between these subjects and horticulture. These subjects do give a greater appreciation for the individual phenomena and aspects within horticulture.How do you coincide those with growing anything???
For instance, many growers understand not to allow your pH to drift outside of a prescribed range or concentration to avoid nutrient lockout and are content to leave it at that. Chemistry can describe what exactly nute lockout is in terms of the power of Hydrogen (pH) dynamics and electron affinities in a way that allows one to visualize the intricate dance taking place between certain chelated elements in your reservoir. Now does this necessarily translate to a better grower? No, but it grants a better understanding of “why” instead of just leaving it to “what”.
Without this turning into Schwaggy P’s Treatise on Daily Application of Chem/Physics, I’ll say that there are as many ways to apply what you learn in a class, as your imagination will allow. If you were to wait around for your teachers to explain to you every possible way you could apply the concepts you are learning, you’ll be missing out. It’s up to your critical thinking and discernment to decide when your understanding of an abstract concept can be used to understand a specific situation.
A teacher wouldn't say:
...And formation of precipitates is going to be important when you start mixing multi-part nutrients in your rez so pay attention.
…Volumetric conversions are going to help you out when you’re trying to replicate bottled nutrients.
…Understanding aqueous solutions chemistry and phase shift physics will help you calculate how much of your dwindling rez water is actually being taken in to the plants vs. being evaporated into a given closed environment for top-offs.
But, you could use what was being taught to help you in these aspects as well as many others.