Lunchtime Talk: Plants and Pressure

Discover the science behind the remarkable resilience of plants with Professor of Life Sciences, Jeremy Pritchard.

Plants are, in many ways, hydraulic machines. Unlike animals, they cannot move to escape heat, cold, or drought, so they must respond to whatever environment they are rooted in. They do this by growing, adjusting their tissues, and moving water and nutrients around their bodies using surprisingly powerful internal water pressures.

In this talk, we will explore how these pressures help roots and leaves grow, how they enable plants to move or adjust their structures, and how they control stomata—the tiny pores that regulate carbon dioxide intake and water loss in leaves.

Watch simple demonstrations to see these ideas come to life in an engaging and interactive way. By the end, you will see plants not as static garden ornaments, but as dynamic, responsive organisms constantly adjusting to the world around them.

The talk will take place in the Winterbourne Centre for Horticulture.

All courses, workshops and events at Winterbourne House & Garden are non-refundable unless cancelled by Winterbourne. All tickets are subject to a booking fee of up to £2.50.