Episode 10 :Breaking Bud !

Welcome back everyone and happy leap day.  According to an article in NPR, there are approximately 5 million people that were born on this day. The so called “leaplings” will celebrate their actual birthday on this rare day. Others will spend it commemorating a leap day wedding having “Taken the leap” others and engagement or anniversary. For us here at top speed160 , i wanted I want to thank all my listeners and subscribers out there for your continued support. With this episode we will have reached a milestone i set of ten episodes for our first season. Thank you all so much!

As you take a stroll around your neighborhood , you may have noticed that some of the trees that shed their leaves during the winter are now beginning to sprout buds around their bare branches and stems. Have you ever wondered how trees are able to survive the changes in the weather?

Winter is a period of slowed metabolic activity, where the tree conserves energy by reducing its physiological processes. The tree’s growth, nutrient absorption, and other metabolic activities are minimized. Some trees shed their leaves in fall as a strategy to conserve water and energy. Loss of leaves helps prevent water loss during the dry and cold winter months. Did you know that tree produce antifreeze substances, such as sugars and proteins, within their cell to help prevent ice crystals from forming inside the cells and damaging them? Trees also store energy in their roots which they use in periods of reduced photosynthesis in the winter. Tree also develop bud scales around their buds to provide insulation and prevent damage in the winter.

Trees are able to sense the changes in day length which helps it prepare for either winter or spring. Warmer temperatures play a crucial role in signaling to trees that winter has ended. As temperatures rise in spring, biochemical processes within the tree are triggered. One important process is the activation of enzymes that kickstart metabolic activities, allowing the tree to resume growth. As mentioned earlier Trees are sensitive to changes in day length, and this serves as a reliable indicator of the changing seasons. As days lengthen with the arrival of spring, trees receive signals that it’s time to break dormancy. Longer daylight hours prompt the tree to initiate growth and flowering processes.

Within the tree, there are hormonal changes that occur during dormancy. As winter progresses, the balance of hormones within the tree shifts, and this balance is critical for the tree to transition from dormancy to active growth. The breaking of bud dormancy involves the activation of growth-promoting hormones.

The choice of the title “Breaking Bud” for this podcast  was a creative play on words. The term “Breaking Bud” is a play on the popular TV series title “Breaking Bad,” which is known for its intense storyline about a chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer. Breaking bad in the context of the TV show is about breaking according to Vince Gilligan in an interview he did in NPR in 2019,  if we find out the exact expiration date on our lives, if we found out when we were going to be checking out, would that free us up to do bold and courageous things? – either good or bad things – hopefully, good things” End quote.

The term “bud” in this podcast  refers to the growth and development of plants usually after a period of dormancy in the winter months. This growth and development can also be a metaphor for Personal growth. According to a research study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology it takes approximately two months for a new habit to become automatic. Can you believe it has already been 60days into the new year? It is a good time to check back in to the resolutions that we made in 2024. Have you been following through with your resolutions? Are you sticking to the plan? If you have not done so, this would be a good time as any to take a leap on leap day. It could also be the start of breaking some bad habits.

As with the other countless people , make this extra day count as a marker for a new chapter, a guidepost for your goals, a day for renewal a day for celebration. It not just another Thursday!

Thanks for listening everyone. If you have not subscribed , please subscribe.

Thanks!