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Garden Photo of the Day

Garden Photo of the Day


Are your plants superhydrophobic?

comments (4) January 21st, 2011 in blogs

mgervais Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor
20 users recommend
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Photo: Michelle Gervais
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I think I could spend hours playing with water on lotus leaves. I'm too young to have memories of playing with drops of mercury, but I imagine the effect is similar, right? I went online to see what makes water and a lotus leaf interact in this way, and found that it's been studied quite a bit. Apparently, a lotus leaf is superhydrophobic. Check out this Wikipedia article on the lotus effect. Fascinating, if a little dry. This article explains it a little more clearly, for us non-scientists. Want to experiment with the lotus effect, but don't have any lotus plants nearby? Try your nasturtiums!

Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog! Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a stunning plant combination, or any number of other subjects. Think of it as your morning jolt of green.

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Comments (4)

sheilaschultz writes: Fun photo, fun facts to end the week of great shots! Thanks... Posted: 11:53 am on January 21st
rwotzak writes: I love that photo! I'm sure I've seen it before.

You say the Wikipedia article on the Lotus Effect is "a little dry"? That's funny. :) Posted: 9:58 am on January 21st
gottagarden writes: I love the way raindrops bead on lady's mantle as well, quite similar. Posted: 7:37 am on January 21st
arboretum writes: michelle, that is a lovely ethereal photo.
one of your very best!
th so much,
mindy
www.cottonarboretum.com/ Posted: 3:15 am on January 21st
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