Decades without water: The thriving secret of latimer's ecosystem
Have you ever wondered how long a plant can survive without watering? The answer might surprise you. The ecosystem created by David Latimer has been functioning without a drop of water since 1972, and the plant is still thriving. The secret behind this phenomenon is quite simple.
David Latimer, a British experimenter, decided years ago to create a self-sustaining miniature ecosystem. In this enclosed environment, the only energy source is solar energy. Thanks to this, the exchange of matter within the ecosystem is possible.
To create this extraordinary micro-world, Latimer used a 12-gallon glass bottle. He added soil, fertilizer, and then planted a spiderwort, topping it off with a little water. Since the last watering in 1972, the ecosystem has been tightly sealed, and life has continued uninterrupted for decades.
The water in the bottle functions in a closed loop—it evaporates, condenses, and returns to the soil. The plant absorbs nutrients from the soil, which, thanks to the nutrient cycle, are reused by the system. Bacteria present in the soil also assist in this process. The only external driving force behind this process is sunlight.
The effect exceeded expectations
Latimer claims that his initiative was not an attempt to set a record; it stemmed from pure curiosity. Since his retirement, the bottle has found its permanent place under the stairs, six feet from a window, where it has access to light. The bottle is occasionally rotated to ensure the plant receives equal amounts of light.
Latimer realizes that his spiderwort will probably live longer than he will. After his passing, the project is to be entrusted to his children, and if they cannot care for it, the bottle will be donated to the Royal Botanic Society.
