[earisme (OP)]

Quick question this is for a project that i have to do and turn in tomorrow and i can not find any information about this topic anywhere.

-What would happen to a desert plant such as a cactus if we added allowed it to have more water than what it is normally use to?  The avg amount of rainfall found in the Mojave Desert is 5 inches...what would happen to the growth of the height and width of the plant if we allowed the plant to be given more water?  Any websites that would answer this question would be very helpful...Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.


Beth[]

[Donnah]

Hi Beth, I have a lot of plants and when I overwater the ones that like to be dry, the roots and base of the plant rot and the plant topples over.  This takes some time of course, but I've never paid attention to how long the process takes.

To get an expert opinion you might do an online search for greenhouses and seed farms, then contact them directly.

[MayoFlyFarmer]

I can't quote you scources, I would try going to the library (especially a college library if there is one near you and finding a book on plant physiology.
To my knowledge, desert plants are designed to take in any water they get, and don't have controls to guard against taking up too much water ,like many non-desert plants to.  When they take up more water than they are used to, the individual cells get too full and the cell walls burst from the pressure.  This causes the cells to dies, and if it happens enough will kill the plant.  In any case, the plant will get very soft and spongy compared to normal.  
I've noticed what Donnah described that they die at the base and rot and fall over, I think this is because the cells at the base get the water first and therefore die first.

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[OldMan]

I know that the Sturt Desert Pea a native Australian plant can't take too much water, to the point where if you have one you are not suppose to water it I believe. My dad tried planting one once, it rained overnight and the plant was dead the next day.

[earisme (OP)]

Thanks for all of your help, it is greatly appreciated.


Beth [8D]

[earisme (OP)]

Thanks for all of your help, it is greatly appreciated.


Beth [8D]

[qazibasit]

it will die coz the xerophytic plants have a modification in their stem that it can store water for longer time without transpiring it so if you give it more water the plant will not transpire and thus the cell will imbibe more water and thus will burst out hence it will damage your plant some times fully or sometimes partially.