Greenhouse Beginnings: Learning Through Sunburn
By Ian Clark
A greenhouse—a simple glass box, yet a microcosmic society for plants. This semester, I’ve started exploring that society with my classmates, guided by Mrs. Krondon, who’s been growing plants independently for years. Before the greenhouse was built, her classroom was packed with greenery. Now, her collection—including a few trees I still can’t name, a frizzly vine-like plant that’s gone all crispy, and a tall one with big leaves sprouting from separate stems—has moved into our new growing space.
It’s been a bit chaotic. We didn’t realize how fast heat would build up in the greenhouse. Within days, the plants started showing signs of stress—wilting, browning, and even sunburn. I didn’t know plants could get sunburnt, but apparently, they can. It’s weird to think that something designed to help plants grow could actually hurt them.
We had to move all the plants outside to give them a chance. Some of them might not make it, which is disappointing, but it’s also part of the learning process. We’re figuring out how sensitive plants are to their environment and how important it is to get the conditions right.
In class, we’ve planted moonflowers, cabbage, and tomatoes. Moonflowers are probably my favorite—they bloom at night, which feels mysterious and kind of magical. The tomatoes are stubborn, and the cabbage is surprisingly satisfying to watch grow. Each plant has its own personality, and I’m starting to notice how different they are in how they respond to care and conditions.
Even though we’ve only been doing this for a few weeks, I’ve already learned more than I expected. Not just about plants, but about how fragile and resilient they can be at the same time. The greenhouse may not be perfect yet, but it’s full of potential. And so are we.