Philip McIntosh

Philip McIntosh is a science and technology writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany and chemistry and a master’s degree in biological science. During his graduate research, he used hydroponic techniques to grow axenic plants. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he teaches mathematics.
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Articles by Philip McIntosh

A Brief History of Olives A Brief History of Olives A Brief History of Olives A Brief History of Olives


Olives are steeped in mythological lore and have been cultivated for longer than you might think.

Cocoa fruit and beans on a table. Cocoa fruit and beans on a table. Cocoa fruit and beans on a table. Cocoa fruit and beans on a table.


While no longer used as currency, cocoa beans are still a prized commodity for equatorial nations.

A Brief History of Avocados A Brief History of Avocados A Brief History of Avocados A Brief History of Avocados


A Brief History of Avocados

A Brief History of Strawberries A Brief History of Strawberries A Brief History of Strawberries A Brief History of Strawberries


Relatively new to the scene, the delicious strawberry has become a key ingredient for many tasty dishes.

ph control ph control ph control ph control


For horticulturists using pH control systems, any type of failure can be devastating to a crop. Philip McIntosh looks at what can go wrong...

10 Facts on Brassinosteroids 10 Facts on Brassinosteroids 10 Facts on Brassinosteroids 10 Facts on Brassinosteroids


Did you know there is a sixth, lesser-known class of plant hormone? Brassinosteroids promote or enhance apical dominance, seed germination,...

10 Facts on Abscisic Acid 10 Facts on Abscisic Acid 10 Facts on Abscisic Acid 10 Facts on Abscisic Acid


Abscisic acid is one of the classic plant hormones, and although it is an acid, its role in plants is not directly related to regulating pH.

10 Facts on Gibberellins 10 Facts on Gibberellins 10 Facts on Gibberellins 10 Facts on Gibberellins


Not just a fun word to say, gibberellins are crucial in the natural process of breaking dormancy and other aspects of germination.

10 Facts on Auxins 10 Facts on Auxins 10 Facts on Auxins 10 Facts on Auxins


Among the first plant hormones to be discovered, auxins serve a variety of roles within plant activities and development.

10 Facts on Cytokinins 10 Facts on Cytokinins 10 Facts on Cytokinins 10 Facts on Cytokinins


Cytokinins are often used by farmers to promote plant growth, and are known to play a role in plant pathogenesis. Philip McIntosh provides...

10 Facts on Roots 10 Facts on Roots 10 Facts on Roots 10 Facts on Roots


The roots of plants do the important work of bringing in water and nutrients so the plant can grow.

10 Facts on Leaves 10 Facts on Leaves 10 Facts on Leaves 10 Facts on Leaves


There are more than 60 botanical terms used to describe the structures and forms of leaves.

10 Facts on Ethylene 10 Facts on Ethylene 10 Facts on Ethylene 10 Facts on Ethylene


Ethylene (not to be confused with its more famous cousin ethyl alcohol) is the simplest of plant hormones.

10 Facts on Buffers 10 Facts on Buffers 10 Facts on Buffers 10 Facts on Buffers


The term buffer is used in a lot of ways. In general usage, it suggests a cushion or barrier of some kind between two zones. Chemically,...

10 Facts on Salts 10 Facts on Salts 10 Facts on Salts 10 Facts on Salts


Many salts are highly soluble in water, making them good sources of nutrient elements that plants can use. Read on for more facts on salts.

10 Facts on Acids 10 Facts on Acids 10 Facts on Acids 10 Facts on Acids


Acid rain. Acid fast. Acid test. Okay, so what exactly is an acid?

Purifying Your Water: A Reverse Osmosis Primer Purifying Your Water: A Reverse Osmosis Primer Purifying Your Water: A Reverse Osmosis Primer Purifying Your Water: A Reverse Osmosis Primer


In a nutshell, osmosis describes “the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of low-solute concentration...

The Future of Drones in Agriculture: Here Come the Agridrones The Future of Drones in Agriculture: Here Come the Agridrones The Future of Drones in Agriculture: Here Come the Agridrones The Future of Drones in Agriculture: Here Come the Agridrones


With more and more applications possible all the time as the technology improves and expands, agricultural drones are poised for takeoff,...

Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Chromium, Strontium and More Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Chromium, Strontium and More Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Chromium, Strontium and More Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Chromium, Strontium and More


More here on potentially beneficial plant nutritional elements, Philip McIntosh highlights bromine, chromium, strontium, selenium, sodium,...

Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen


There are several essential macro- and micronutrients plants need to grow and reproduce. Here we look at aluminum, iodine, lithium,...

Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Cobalt, Silicon, Nickel, and Vandium Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Cobalt, Silicon, Nickel, and Vandium Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Cobalt, Silicon, Nickel, and Vandium Beneficial Elements For Your Nutrient Regimen: Cobalt, Silicon, Nickel, and Vandium


Elements that may not be essential but could be beneficial to include in your nutrient regimen? Today, Philip McIntosh discusses cobalt,...

From Guns to Greenhouses From Guns to Greenhouses From Guns to Greenhouses From Guns to Greenhouses


In Colorado, the Veterans to Farmers program helps veterans transition into budding horticulturists.

How to Solve Mold and Mildew Problems with Your Plants How to Solve Mold and Mildew Problems with Your Plants How to Solve Mold and Mildew Problems with Your Plants How to Solve Mold and Mildew Problems with Your Plants


Few things strike more fear into the hearts of farmers than the appearance of fuzzy or powdery growth on their plants. Hydroponic growers...

The Red and the Blue of It The Red and the Blue of It The Red and the Blue of It The Red and the Blue of It


Many gardeners have always known the technical advantages of LEDs, but the high initial cost can be a deterrent. However, as the price of...

Six Ways Plants Move Six Ways Plants Move Six Ways Plants Move Six Ways Plants Move


Plants move and react to things in their environment in all kinds of ways and for all kinds of reasons. Philip McIntosh takes us on a tour...

Agricultural Robotics: Here Come the Agribots Agricultural Robotics: Here Come the Agribots Agricultural Robotics: Here Come the Agribots Agricultural Robotics: Here Come the Agribots


Do vast fields crawling with tiny agricultural robots sound far-fetched to you? The future may be closer than you think.

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