Do plants grow better in sunlight or shade?

Question

I'm doing a written report on the scientific method and I need references (I'm having trouble finding some) on the topic, like websites, magazine articles, ect. I need to prove which one would grow better without actually doing the project because I'm suppose to write about it.

Answer 1

The fact of the matter is that some plants grow best in full sunlight, some grow best in partial shade, and some grow best in full shade. If you were setting up an experiment using the scientific method, you would first need to pick one species of plant for your experiment. If you were to set up an experiment, you might want to use a fast growing plant. A "bush" type of green bean plant grows to maturity in about 60-70 days.

One of the main ideas behind the scientific method is to control all but one of the variables in an experiment. In this case, you would start eight plants seeds at the same time, in the same sized pots, using the same potting soil in each one. If you choose to fertilize, make sure that each pot gets exactly the same amount at the same time. Each plant should also get exactly the same amount of water at the same time. In this case, you would place four containers together in full sun and four together in full shade and observe and note the results. You have just created an experiment controlling all of the variables except the amount of sunlight each plant gets.

If you were to do the experiment, you would probably want to take measurements of the growth every day and keep notes on your observations. Are both plants the same color of green? Does each plant appear to be equally filled out with leaves? Is one of the plants getting "leggy" where it appears that it is growing lots of stem and fewer leaves? Do flowers, and the subsequent beans appear on both plants at about the same time?

Over a period of time, you would have noticed definate differences in the plants. One group would appear to be much healthier and vigorous than the other. Since you have controlled all of the variables except the amount of sunlight they got, you could conclude that your bean plants prefer either full sun or shade based on your observations and data.

This is basically what seed companies do in order to provide growing instruction to consumers. Look at the seed packets and planting instructions on potted plants, and you will almost always see information as to the light conditions a particular plant prefers.

Here is a website you can visit in order to see both "shade loving" and "sun loving" plants:

http://www.gardenguides.com/

Good luck with your homework project.

Answer 2

Plants grow better in Indirect sunlight,you can get the information in plant care section of rooted gifts a online website.

Answer 3

Try going to a site that may sell garden plants such as Gurneys or Burpees to find which may like what degree of sunlight.. Then you might try going to a botany site to find the info to back up your report. Your local library should have the info you need or ask if they will 'borrow' a book or two from another library in your state. Your state extension office or college agriculture site may also have the info. Good luck!

Answer 4

All plants are different. some need light and some need shade. You have to specify a particular plants (s) to determine which likes shade or light. A plant will not grow if it is in the wrong environment.

Answer 5

Plants grow better in sunlight. Plants need sunlight in order for the chlorophyll to to absorb sunlight and generate "plant food" this process in known as photosynthesis.

Answer 6

first of all, how a plant does in different light levels is dependent upon the plant species. some require direct full sun, some require full shade. Try going to a plant nursery in your area for help with this one

Answer 7

depends on the plant .most house plants grow better in very little light. garden verity plants need lots of sun as you buy plants they come with a growing guide that tells you how to maintain them,check out these sights.

Answer 8

It all depends what kind of plant you are growing. Some plants will not tolerate sun. Some plants will not tolerate shade. Look in nursury catalogue for these answers.

Answer 9

it depends on the plant some do better in sunlight and some in shade

Answer 10

Your question is too broad! Really depends of what type of plant your talking about. I suggest you find the plant you want to write about and then ask your question again...