What Does Meristem Mean?
The meristem of a plant is the plant’s top growth. It is the region of the plant that is actively growing and dividing. This area is where the plant will form new tissue.
Meristem can also refer to the growing tips of the plant’s root system. Pinching or pruning the plant’s meristem encourages it to produce two or more shoots. The action of pruning the meristem causes the plant to rapidly start cell division and create new growth.
Cutting away the meristem of a plant is also a way to create an entirely new plant, a clone of the parent plant. The process is known as taking a stem cutting from the meristem.
Maximum Yield Explains Meristem
During active growth, the plant's meristem's cells decide which type of cells they will eventually become such as roots, leaves, stems, or buds. If meristem cells become flowers, they will no longer be able to reproduce like they would if they became leaves, stems or roots. This is a major reason why growers must decide when and where to prune the plant or take stem cuttings.
Taking stem cuttings from a plant’s meristem is one of the most popular ways to start new plants.
Pruning plants to control growth and production is a common occurrence. With controlled plant cultivation, the grower controls the plant’s hormone levels in the plant’s tips and flowers by careful pruning practices.
Meristems can be either lateral meristems, intercalary meristems, or apical meristems.
