The Plant Prof
By Vikram Baliga
The Plant ProfFeb 18, 2021
Plants are Cool
You clearly should know by this point that I think plants are cool. Listen in to a couple of the reasons why I think plants are cool.
Do You Wanna Have a Snowstorm?
Hey, it's really freaking cold.
That's Pretty Neat
I learned today that I'm so old I'm probably going to have archaeologists hanging around soon. Listen to this, go watch Neature Walk, and I'm going to go take some Advil for my aching old man joints and watch reruns of MASH.
A Society Grows Great
I promise I'll talk more about plant stuff soon. I promise. For now, though, here are some thoughts from my first day teaching my first lecture!
Trust the Process
Life is....something right now. Wild? Crazy? Unpredictable? Finding a process that helps you find your center goes a long way to getting your brain right. For me, one of those processes is making a good cup of coffee!
This episode was inspired, in part, by a tweet from last week by The PhD Story.
You Made It!
If you're reading these show notes and/or listening to this podcast, you've made it through 2020 and to today. I know it's been hard and I know things look bleak sometimes, but making it through this year has proven you can do hard things. Keep striving and keep going. I love all you nerds, and can't wait to talk plants with you again next week!
Tree Planting
Hey there, Magical Meat Skeleton! You should plant a tree! They're good for your health in SO many ways. Here's some good info on how to do the thing!
https://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/treeplantingtools.html
And BINGO Was His Name-O
Purple Doesn't Exist
Purple is just a lie your brain tells you about the universe. Let's talk about that and why Red Onions are actually "purple." A special thanks to Steve Mould (@MouldS) for his excellent video about color mixing and John Seymour (@John_TheMathGuy) for this brilliant blog post about the linguistic evolution of colors!
Wild Green Charity Battle
Hey, here's a surprise bonus episode that I'm cross-posting with my other podcast Planthropology! It's a thank you for all the support this year, information about a giveaway that I'll be starting tomorrow, and a plug for the Wild Green Memes for Ecological Fiends annual charity battle!
Wild Green Future: https://www.wildgreenfuture.org/
Wild Green Memes Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WildGreenMemesForEcologicalFiends
A Confession
I sit on a throne of Christmas Tree lies.
Keeping Your Plants Warm
If you're cold, they're cold...sort of...
Planthropology
It's Probably Not a Yam
That thing you keep calling a yam? Yeah, it's probably not that.
Your Recipe Needs More Garlic
Garlic: For more than just annoying vampires.
It's Wild Cabbage All the Way Down
Like, half of the vegetables you eat are really just cabbage.
Waterproof Plants
Plants have adapted a lot of ways to keep water in and other things out. Let's talk about that, you and me. Also, "Wookie" is the word I was looking for.
Don't forget to go subscribe to The Plant Prof playlist on the Planthropology YouTube channel!
Types of Hydroponic Systems, Part 2
Let's talk about hydroponics systems! I cover drip, NFT, and aeroponic systems in today's episode. Also, be sure to check out the Plant Prof playlist on the Planthropology YouTube channel!
Types of Hydroponic Systems, Part 1
Let's talk about hydroponics systems! I cover Water culture, ebb and flow, and wick systems in today's episode. Also, be sure to check out the Plant Prof playlist on the Planthropology YouTube channel!
Trees Don't Grow That Way
Apparently there are a lot of misconceptions about how trees grow.
So, About Grad School...
Yes, I keep changing the schedule , but let's talk about grad school.
Tell a Good Story
Hydroponics
You probably think you need soil to grow plants. Well, you kinda do, but hydroponics is a soggy way to work around that issue!
Grow Lights
Plants need light to grow. So do you. You're basically a plant.
Windy Tree Wood
Trees don't like the wind any more than you do.
Cool Season Color
Flowers are important in the cool season too. Plant some plants unless you're an anti-plant plant from a foreign government. You're pollinator friends will thank you.
Hardiness Zones
Hardiness is for plants and heartiness is for stew. I'm talking about one of those two things today.
Pansies and Road-noise
Bok Choy
Bok choy? More like BOK CHOICE, amiright?! I'm so sorry, please don't unsubscribe.
Yes, Once
Hey, today I soap-boxed for a while about how "natural" does not equal "safe."
Don't Eat the Mushrooms
One of the most common questions I get is about whether or not people should eat the mushrooms that pop up in their yards. Spoilers: No. No you should not.
The Superior Chapstick
Plant Identification
Trailer
Hey, welcome to The Plant Prof! I'm Dr. Vikram Baliga, a PhD in horticulture and your friendly neighborhood podcast host. Hang out around here and let's talk about random plant stuff!
Crunchy Leaf Zombies
He didn't lie down. They never lie down.
10 points if you can name that reference. Hey, let's talk about why leaves don't always fall off after they freeze and die! Mmmk? Mmmmk.
Happy Bean Water
You need to be more caffeinated. There may not be enough caffeine in the world for this year, but let's talk coffee and see if we can make a dent in the sleepyness.
Fall (Autumn maybe?) Color
It's Fall/Autumn (Fautumn?) in the northern hemisphere and the trees are changing color. Let's talk about why! Also, never forget that Bradford pears suck.
Spicy Pumpkins
It's pumpkin spice marketing gimmick season!
Berries Are a Lie
You know what freaks people out? Berries do. They're not what you think they are, and most of them would really suck in a smoothie. Listen in to fill your brains with berry knowledge!
The Plant Prof
Well, hello, it's a new thing! It'll mostly be random plant facts and nerdy musings. You can blame Paul Csomo from the Varmints Podcast for this. In fact, you should. @ him for unleashing this chloro-filled nonsense on the word.