Does anyone use an antitranspirant?

[greg27]

I came across a (non-bonsai) Facebook post the other day that mentioned antitranspirants, a product that you spray on the leaves of your plants to reduce water loss. I couldn't find many references to this in relation to bonsai, and am wondering if anyone uses something like this (eg. Yates DroughtShield) when collecting or repotting?

On paper it sounds good - reduce water loss so you give the plant more of a chance to survive a root reduction.

[legoman_iac]

Assume you'd use a tiny bottle to apply it? Hehehe. Interesting product, curious to hear from the group! Though I find my soil drying out is the bigger issue, especially with seedlings. Sometimes I cover the pots with shade cloth, keeping the branches exposed.

[Ryceman3]

Mmm ... interesting. Know nothing about this kind of product, but it got me thinking...
My very basic understanding is that transpiration helps to cool a plant but also the loss of water is a product of the stomata on the leaves opening to take in carbon dioxide to be used in photosynthesis. So I assume the antitranspirant somehow blocks the stomata from opening?? Also, the action of transpiration draws nutrients etc up from the roots I think.
If so ... how does that impact the ability of the plant to function I wonder, and then whether that would be a good thing, particularly after a shock/event like collection or heavy repot.
I don't have any answers - that's just what popped into my head!

[greg27]

If so ... how does that impact the ability of the plant to function I wonder, and then whether that would be a good thing, particularly after a shock/event like collection or heavy repot.

Yep that's what I'm wondering. The plant does all these things for a reason, but of course we're messing with the plant already by root pruning / collecting / taking cuttings / etc. I can't find anything scientific to say whether it's helpful or not - maybe an experiment with some cuttings could be useful.

[Stu]

My very basic understanding is that transpiration helps to cool a plant but also the loss of water is a product of the stomata on the leaves opening to take in carbon dioxide to be used in photosynthesis. So I assume the antitranspirant somehow blocks the stomata from opening?? Also, the action of transpiration draws nutrients etc up from the roots I think.
If so ... how does that impact the ability of the plant to function I wonder, and then whether that would be a good thing, particularly after a shock/event like collection or heavy repot.

I agree, interesting concept but I have similar concerns. Transpiration drives the whole drawing of water and nutrients to the leaves from the roots. Reducing this suggests reducing root activity. Photosynthesis is not as important short term as this stops overnight anyway. How long does this treatment last?

[Per PF]

My very basic understanding is that transpiration helps to cool a plant but also the loss of water is a product of the stomata on the leaves opening to take in carbon dioxide to be used in photosynthesis. So I assume the antitranspirant somehow blocks the stomata from opening?? Also, the action of transpiration draws nutrients etc up from the roots I think.
If so ... how does that impact the ability of the plant to function I wonder, and then whether that would be a good thing, particularly after a shock/event like collection or heavy repot.

I agree, interesting concept but I have similar concerns. Transpiration drives the whole drawing of water and nutrients to the leaves from the roots. Reducing this suggests reducing root activity.

According to this book (that is supposedly based on scientific evidence) that is exactly what happens, suggesting that it is not good:

IMG_4013.jpeg

IMG_4012.jpeg

[greg27]

Thanks for that Per, I think that covers it. I've done some brief reading of some scientific articles (how's that for a Friday night) and it sounds like antitranspirants can be useful in helping an established plant withstand drought, but they're not ideal when you actually want the plant to be growing.

I did find one study that showed that an antitranspirant resulted in shorter internodes and smaller leaves, so maybe antitranspirants could have a place in the refinement of bonsai! https://journals.ashs.org/downloadpdf/j ... e-p222.pdf

[Alan Peck]

Very interesting information but where do you buy it and what is the product name.?
Is it available at nurseries or garden centres.?

[greg27]

Very interesting information but where do you buy it and what is the product name.?
Is it available at nurseries or garden centres.?

There's one, Yates DroughtShield, which is available at Woolies. Looks like that and a few other brands are available at various nurseries.