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Lake Effect Flowers

 For perspective, clarity, and meaning, because the rest of the day affords little room for introspection
 
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Ahhh, that serene and often surrealistic silence of the early morning hours. Sunrise glorifies the scenery as a diverse array of flowers unfolds before you to flaunt their fragrance and brilliant aesthetics reflecting off the glassy waters.

To all those without easy access to this Zen-like experience, I introduce Lake Effect Flowers.

At the core of this device is a soil packed tube with many small holes cut out in a straight (dotted) line running the length of the tube. On the other ‘side’ (180deg around), there is an identical line of holes.

Implanted in the soil exposed through each hole are seeds from a variety of flowers arranged such that the same type of seed planted in one hole is also planted in the opposing hole. The tube is sealed at each end and vacuum-packed pre-seeded complete with a list / photo of the flowers contained within. Many different flower mixes are available.

Simply place the tube in the slot on top of your Lake Effect Flower Box with one row of holes facing up. Locate the box on the sunny side of the house (indoors or out), and water. *Note that there are marked holes on the tube which contain no seeds as watering is accomplished by syringe (included).

When sprouts begin to emerge from the upward facing row of holes, rotate the tube 180deg. Sunlight is reflected upward by mirrors within the box at the downward facing sprouts shielded from direct sunlight by an opaque vertically situated panel near the center of the box.

For added effect snap a photo of the outside view from the flower’s perspective, edit to size, flip horizontally, print, and affix upside down to the house facing side of the vertical panel.

Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, relax, and reflect.

—Shz, Oct 20 2003

(?) Lake Effect Flower Box http://www.townisp.com/~sheazy/mirflo.jpg
[Shz, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

(?) Why Do the Roots Always Grow Down and the Stems Grow Up? http://wow.osu.edu/Plants/rootst.htm
"Plants are affected by gravity, so they do know which way is up and which way is down." [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato, Flower and Vegetable Planter http://www.cleanair...m/totuupdotofl.html
...or maybe not. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Retiree turns tomato growing topsy-turvy http://www.post-gaz...0000805kitchen2.asp
More evidence that tomatoes, at least, will grow down. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

upside down trees http://www.christin...s/mass/image_3.html
[RBStimers, Mar 24 2005]

[link]






       I'm reasonably certain this won't work. I'm pretty sure plants know which way is up.
—phoenix, Oct 20 2003
   

       I included tube rotation after top row seedling startup on the off chance that seeds are ‘aware’ of gravity. Once they penetrate the surface they will follow their food sources. The roots will grow towards water and nutrients, and the stems / leaves will advance in the direction of sunlight.
—Shz, Oct 20 2003
   

       Why is it called Lake Effect? Reminds of Michigan Weather reports. Lake Effect (Snow) Showers.
—Piggie, Oct 20 2003
   

       ‘Lake Effect’ was chosen as a vehicle by which to morph from the metaphoric ‘Lake Effect Snow’ (depression / stress - winter) to ‘Lake Effect Flowers’ (happiness - spring / summer). The title is appropriate in this category, albeit a tad obscure.   

       It’s an enabling device, not a picture of introspection itself.
—Shz, Oct 20 2003
   

       Even after the flowers emerge from the dirt, they are still aware of gravity. Tropisms are the name of the mechanisms by which plants move in response to outside stimulae, and geotropism is the response specifically to gravity. I killed a bunch of parsley in school, trying to determine if phototropism was stronger or weaker than geotropism. My conclusion was that plants exposed only to gravity without light exhibit deathtropism. (Teacher was not impressed.)
—gardnertoo, Mar 25 2005
   
      
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