Plants may literally light the way to sustainable energy sources
Scientists at MIT are in the process of developing a new source of passive lighting that could one day light up our streets. The surprising source? Glow-in-the-dark plants. The relatively new field of “plant nanobionics” involves embedding nanoparticles into plants to enhance the natural Read More...
This new irrigation system talks to plants to find out when they’re thirsty
As water shortages affect more parts of the globe, strategic irrigation practices are becoming key to achieving optimal water efficiency on farms, especially those located in drought-stricken areas. A technology called GrowStream is designed to provide exactly this type of solution — by enabling Read More...
This plant hotel will take care of your leafy friends while you’re away
If, like us, you are a plant enthusiast, you’re probably worried whether your botanical friends will survive while you’re away on holiday. In a bid to put such worries to rest, an online plant shop has come up with a remarkable initiative — a hotel created exclusively for houseplants, where Read More...
Save water in your yard with these drought-resistant plants
With 17 countries around the world facing high water stress and drought, you might be asking yourself, what can we do to help save water? In addition to practicing water smart behavior in the home like saving wastewater and repairing leaky faucets, changing the way you look at the outside of your Read More...
Support pollinators this spring with flower 'billboards'
We at The Optimist Daily are always looking for ways to help our pollinator friends. If you are looking to plant a pollinator-friendly garden this spring, then a new study led by Jaret Daniels and Elizabeth Braatz can help! Their research indicates that insects are attracted to landscapes where Read More...
This technology allows plants to communicate with farmers
Scientists at the Swiss deep tech company Vivent have created technology that allows us to know exactly what our plants need. Before this, farmers have relied on secondary indicators for finding problems with their crops, looking, for example, for signs of drought by checking out their roots. But Read More...
Scientists use food waste to create eco-friendly liquid fertilizer
While it’s well known that compost made from food scraps helps plants grow, scientists have now figured out how to create a liquid fertilizer out of fermented food waste, which can boost beneficial bacteria within plants making them more resistant to pathogens and reducing carbon emissions from Read More...
Shrub species thought extinct for almost 100 years rediscovered in Japan
While out to study the growth of plants in an evergreen forest on the Japanese island of Amami-Oshima, a team of researchers has come across a colony of an unfamiliar plant species. Not long after — after taking a sample to the lab — the researchers realized that what they had recently Read More...
9 Tips for anyone starting their own garden this year
Spring is just around the corner which means it’s once again time to start thinking about planting your home garden. If you have a little extra time on your hands and space in your yard, starting a fruitful home garden is easier than you think. Here are some tips on creating a thriving garden Read More...
2020: Scientists discover world’s ugliest orchid and other plant species
While orchids are known as some of the most beautiful flowers in the world, scientists have discovered a new species of orchid that does not live up to its family’s reputation. In fact, scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (RGB Kew) are calling it the “ugliest in the world.” Read More...