129. Terracotta Pots, Plant Poop, and Immortal Trees- Summer 2026 Q&A

What's up, Plant People?? It'  time again to answer your burnign plant questions that jump from backyard pruning to big-picture ecology, keeping the science clear and usable. We sort out plant naming, native planting nuance, and a few garden myths, then close with research that changes how we think about trees and carbon storage.


• late winter gooseberry pruning for fruiting wood age and open center structure 
• variety versus cultivar and why common language bends the rules 
• how to attract nighttime pollinators with pale fragrant night-blooming natives 
• when native plant cultivars can help and when true local genetics matter 
• why terracotta pots breathe, why drainage holes matter, and why gravel layers backfire 
• how plants handle waste through leaf drop and guttation 
• feeding carnivorous plants safely with fish food or dried insects 
• invasive species control through prevention, smart plant choices, and local ecosystem fixes 
• tree longevity, clonal forests, and what “immortal” can mean in biology 
• new findings on late-season carbon sequestration and what it implies for watering practices 

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Planthropology is written, hosted, and produced by Vikram Baliga. Our theme song is "If You Want to Love Me, Babe, by the talented and award-winning composer, Nick Scout. Midroll tunes are by Rooey.