Myth about tap roots...

OK for awhile now I have seen time and again people say "PUT THE TAP ROOT DOWN!!!!" when advising people on how to put a germinated seed to soil. I am curious why so many people seem to think this is such a big issue?

I studied botony heavily as an undergraduate, and during a lab one day I specifically remember the PhD remarking that it makes no difference which way the tap root faces; it will grow down even if initially facing up (there was a lecture about gravitropism). The shoot will likewise grow upward even if "upside down." This is due to a process called gravitropism. Plants can feel gravity, and they know which way is up. Remember, with seeds that grow wild, not all of them were "put in right side up" - they just grew where they fell.

So why do so many people get hung up on which way seeds go in soil? If anyone doesn't believe me, check this out:

Gravitropism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Or better yet, get a botony textbook and read it for yourself if you don't trust Wiki.

As a side note, this was my favorite biology prof I ever had. Through my junior and senior years a few select students including myself would go out on weekend expeditions collecting specimens for the herbarium (a library of plants with dried specimens). During these outings, we would most certainly drink (even though 3 / 4 of us were under 21), and listen to quite entertaining ramblings of the good Dr's younger years when he actively grew and partook of both the fine herb and shrooms. Since we had all known him since we were freshmen (we were all biology majors and he taught a freshman bio class we had taken), we had all become fairly close friends with him as we advanced to our major courses, and by the 3'rd year I guess he just felt comfortable enough telling those stories to us. Either way, it sure explains why he always got so animated in lectures about mycology (the study of fungi - ie mushrooms)!!!

Because it saves a few days growth time.

Oh and one more thing on a personal note:

Stinky - if you happen to read this, I tried to PM you but it says I have insufficient privs to do so. As a mod I'm sure you would be able to tell me why I can't PM, or if there is a requirement to be able to PM, what it is. Also, I like your idea about my siggy (being the IUPAC name for THC), but for the life of me I can't find the signature edit console. I have scoured up and down my User CP a dozen times and clicked every option but to no avail. This is particularly perplexing to me because I have been posting and moderating message boards since the BBS and usenet days. Any help? If anyone else happens to know how to help, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

Regarding gravitropism - it *might* eliminate 36-48 hours of wait time by putting it in a certain direction. *Might*. But in the grand scheme of things, when it takes 2-3 months just to fully flower (I am talking about from the time pre-flowers are visible to harvest), I think that handling the germinated seed just to set it in right side up would cause just as much of a delay through shock, and even if not, two days is not that big of deal. Plenty of other factors contribute far more to the grow time than the tap root placement...

What's this tangent about? Seriously. If I am wrong, I apologize in advance, but it seems to me that you have posted this trying to pick an argument for the mere purpose to share with the group your expertise and knowledgeable skills in Botany. It just seems that way to me.
Some people plant their seeds after germination with the tap root ALREADY in the direction it is supposed to and will be going anyway. I could understand if someone posted a thread to "plant your tap roots UP" Now that would be wierd and something to thread and question.
All of us on here grow plants. Usually more than just one. Some of us are horticulturists. We just share what works and what makes sense.
good luck,
Elway

Delta I liked the post let me know that what I had tried several times is true. When I put my tap root pointing up they had the same rate of growth as the others that were pointing down. Thanks for the share bro.:)

I believe that the practice of pointing the tap root down is related to the other practice of letting the seeds germinate in paper towels too long, until the tap root has attained significant length. I don't recommend this actually- paper towel fine, but I've read people advising others to let the root get 1/4-1/2 inch long, and I beleive that is not good at all!!!
That's why I plant my seeds as soon as the husk splits and the tap root is VISIBLE- the earlier you plant, the less time and energy is wasted by the tap root orienting itself properly.
D9, I'm gonna go put that in your siggy- if you go into your user CP, you look on the left side of the screen, and edit profile, options, signature, etc are in there.
You guys can't PM, but my email is in my signature.

Stinky, Im sorry but I have to put this out there!

YOU are certainly the pro here, so I obviously value your opinion, BUT, I've had a 98% success rate using Bounty paper towels and pulling them at 1/4 inch.
The remaining two percent were thick husked seeds that I didnt wait for!

Chron you are probably less clumsy than me, lol... I've broken many a tap root that way.
Oh wait, Hose Master, you ARE clumsy... maybe you just have fine motor skillz? :D

Oh edit, D9, I put in a sig for you but I think you just need a few more posts to hit the magic # (50) before it starts appearing on your info.

OHHHHHH........:D

...I am pretty good with my fingers;)

PS: Can I EVER live that down?

:D Nope!
But it's okay, because now we know you are good with your fingers, and honestly you can make up for hose deficiencies with finger skills.... HAHAHAHA