Feeding Plants Artificial Sweeteners

July 27th, 2010
ideas, sweetradish
The main reason most people don't enjoy eating lemons is that they are insufficiently sweet. I think a lot of people would be interested in lemons that tasted like lemonade. What would happen if you watered a lemon tree with water containing artificial sweeteners? Would some end up in the fruit? How well do these sweeteners persist? Do they break down easily inside plants?

Trees are slow and complex; starting with something faster growing like vegetables might make more sense. Perhaps this could get people to eat more veggies? Mmm; artificially sweetened vegetables.
Referenced in: Saccharin Radishes

Comment via: facebook, hacker news, substack

Recent posts on blogs I like:

American effective altruists should probably donate to political candidates

My recommendation for donors who are American citizens or permanent residents is that they donate directly to high-value political candidates.

via Thing of Things December 28, 2025

Opinionated takes on parenting

This post is a collection of parenting takes that sometimes go through my head, based on my experience raising our two boys (5 and 2 years old). All of this is based on my experience and might not apply to others (see the law of equal and opposite advice)…

via Victoria Krakovna December 16, 2025

How to Make a Christmas Wreath

Yesterday, I made a Christmas wreath. Here's how to make one. First, find an evergreen tree near your house. Clip off a few branches from the tree. Try to have as many leaves or needles on the branches as possible. Next, bring them home. What I usu…

via Anna Wise's Blog Posts December 6, 2025

more     (via openring)