How do plants grow through Concrete?

Question

This may sound like an elementary question but I am preaching a sermon called growing through concrete. The basic theme of the sermon: Even when we are put in positions that offer no fertile ground for success, we can discover the power from within to thrive inspite of adverse conditions. (Thus, we can still grow through Concrete)

( I observed one day while I was driving across a concrete bridge that plants were growing between the cracks. The bridge was completely steek and concrete, I did not see how it was possible for that to happen).

I would like to start out this sermon with a story of me driving across the bridge, but afterwards I would like to follow up with a scientific explanation. I am still looking for a supporting text as a basis, but can anyone provide any help or insight.

Answer 1

An interesting theme for a sermon.

There are two explanations. One, the aforementioned roots coming from below, finding their way through fractures in the concrete and sprouting once the reach the surface. The other reason, and this is the reason you saw vegetation growing on the bridge, is because the concrete will crack, on a bridge, more than likely it is a "stress fracture" from the bridge moving and since Concrete isn't flexible, it cracks. Soil will then find its way into the crack, be it by wind or deposited by passing vehicles, any number of ways, fertilized by birds, and finally a seed will find it's way to the same place. And the ultimate product is a plant seemingly growing through the concrete. Though the plant is merely using a crack as it's planter. Usually these will be very resilient plants since they have limited room for growth. Often times, as these plants grow, and expand, their roots will travel down past the subgrade of the concrete into the earth below and flurish, which ultimately can damage the concrete even more, pushing the sides of the crack outwards and expanding the crack to a point where even more soil can collect, more plants grow, and the concrete will start to heave, crack, settle etc, ultimately ruining the concrete.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

First of all, you are confusing me about preaching sermon when you say "I did not see how it was possible for that to happen"

Are you sure you are preaching??

Don't you know "With God, all things are possible!"???

Why don't you start with that phrase and preach. Lots of times, there is no scientific explanation especially from miracle point of view.

However, plaint grows in concrete because it's alive. Plants are struggle to grow because that is where the water they can find. Perhaps, you can use the analogy of water as well. Water is the resource of life... and so on.

Answer 3

The roots which are in the ground underneath the concrete are powerful enough to come through the concrete. The roots are usually in the ground before the concrete is there, so it is a matter of time before the roots grow up through the concrete.