What are nodes?

Plants build "sleeping" buds to make sure that it can survive if the apical bud dies (eaten by a pest, ...). As long as the apical bud is growing it produces a growth regulator (hormon) which suppresses the growth of the other buds on the stem. If the apical bud dies, the growth regulator is missing and the "sleeping" buds start to grow.

Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis equestris
Phalaenopsis node (detail view)

Where can you find sleeping buds?

Nodes can be found e.g.:


Author: Thomas Ederer