Perception
Vermiculite from Latin ‘vermiculus’ = wormlet
The recently emerged rootlet of bloodroot seed has attached on this vermiculite particle with the same desperation a climber clings onto a rock. A place to grow on, salvation…
Sanguinaria canadensis seedling germinated in a bag with vermiculite, growing attached on a vermiculite particle
For us, it remains just an exfoliated fragment of a hydrated silicate mineral; worm-like shaped, lightweight, incombustible, compressible, sterile, with a high cation-exchange capacity…
Only very few Sanguinaria canadensis seeds have started to germinate in moist storage; this one was particularly well developed – good genes probably… The very young rhizome already shows signs of the future red coloration characteristic to Sanguinaria rhizomes.
Amazing, it is so special to look close and apprecicate the wonders that are all around us. Something as simple as a seed germinating is actually incredibly complex. Makes me smile :)
It’s easy to take for granted what’s happening underground, out of sight…
Oh, my goodness, that rootlet really is clinging on for dear life. Makes me smile, too. :)
It was very touching to found it like that, it got potted up right away (it was the only one in that stage, interesting how each seed is different, with their own personality, just like children…)