By crowding extra plants into a growing area and/ or excessively shading them, the result will be ____ growth.

By crowding extra plants into a growing area and/ or excessively shading them, the result will be ____ growth.

• A. Leggy, weak-stemmed
• B. Compact growth
• C. Vigorous growth
• D. Dwarfing

Answer: (A)

When plants don’t receive enough light because they’re crowded or shaded, they respond by stretching their stems to reach brighter light. This is a shade-avoidance reaction, where internodes lengthen and the plant prioritizes vertical growth over thickening and strengthening of tissues. The result is long, thin, weak stems that can’t support the plant well, which is described as leggy, weak-stemmed growth. With proper spacing and adequate light, growth tends to be more compact and sturdy.

When plants don’t receive enough light because they’re crowded or shaded, they respond by stretching their stems to reach brighter light. This is a shade-avoidance reaction, where internodes lengthen and the plant prioritizes vertical growth over thickening and strengthening of tissues. The result is long, thin, weak stems that can’t support the plant well, which is described as leggy, weak-stemmed growth. With proper spacing and adequate light, growth tends to be more compact and sturdy.