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Post by vraev on Nov 15, 2010 18:15:55 GMT -5
Hi guys,
Did anyone notice that as the temperatures grow colder, the color of the plants seems to get better? I noticed that in all 3 of the heli species I own. I also noticed it in a couple of neps that were light green before which are now becoming red.
I was just curious if others noticed this as well. My hypothesis was that the increased temperature increases the "nutrient uptake rate" within plants. Plants are readily able to utilize all the available light (Hence, the higher growth rate during the warmer periods of the year). However, as temperature goes down, the plant is unable to utilize the same quantity of nutrients as enzymes become less efficient at lower temperatures. Hence, in order to protect their internal organelles from excessive oxidation radicals that are produced during various biochemical reactions, it is upregulating anthrocyanin expression which is increasing the red coloration in them.
What do you guys think?
Varun
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Post by lloyd on Nov 15, 2010 22:55:08 GMT -5
I think cold just brings out the colour. :-)
Seriously my sarr's are really red outside but getting ready to go into the garage soon.
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Post by vraev on Nov 15, 2010 23:34:27 GMT -5
Yeah....but why does it happen? That is what is puzzling. It even seems to happen indoors when the light source is the exact same and hasn't changed.
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Post by kd on Nov 16, 2010 0:22:27 GMT -5
I haven't noticed in my CPs, but this got me thinking, and it is the same thing that happens in the orchid species Phragmipedium besseae. The cooler it is grown when flowering, the darker the red of the flower. Pretty cool.
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Post by vraev on Nov 16, 2010 2:41:42 GMT -5
Interesting observation Kevin. We know that the flower doesn't play a role in photosynthesis, so something else might be involved.
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Post by lloyd on Nov 16, 2010 13:41:08 GMT -5
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Post by vraev on Nov 17, 2010 0:20:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Lloyd. it will be an interesting read.
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Post by H2O on Nov 17, 2010 11:55:39 GMT -5
To my understanding the reason cps get darker is the same reason maple trees change colour in colder weather.
Chlorophyll is a dominant pigment and masks all other colours. When it gets cold the Chlorophyll dies and the other pigments are then visible. Maybe it's different with cps, I'll have to read that article.
As for orchids it's not quite the same, red Cattleyas and red Phrags do get darker with colder weather but that's because of two parents. Sophronitis coccinea gives the red pigment in most red hybrids and it is a cooler growing plant, given the right condition it should always be a darker red but with warmer weather the colour starts to wash out. This is passed onto all of it hybrids, so I guess its sort of the opposite, the warmer is gets the lighter the red. This is the same thing for Phrag beasseae and its hybrids. That's why you've got to love the fall and winter when you grow anything red haha
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Post by kd on Nov 18, 2010 0:19:47 GMT -5
As for orchids it's not quite the same, red Cattleyas and red Phrags do get darker with colder weather but that's because of two parents. Sophronitis coccinea gives the red pigment in most red hybrids and it is a cooler growing plant, given the right condition it should always be a darker red but with warmer weather the colour starts to wash out. This is passed onto all of it hybrids, so I guess its sort of the opposite, the warmer is gets the lighter the red. This is the same thing for Phrag beasseae and its hybrids. That's why you've got to love the fall and winter when you grow anything red haha I've never heard of Sophronitis coccinea having a washed out flower in warm weather. Actually, I'm not sure it would even bloom in warm weather. Have you had success with this species? I don't know many that have. Yes, it passes the red colour to it's hybrids, but I don't know about the red colour being darker in cool weather. I do know this happens in Phrag. besseae and it's hybrids, though. It doesn't have to do with fall, though, just cool temps. This can happen at any time of year, and where you are growing it.
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Post by H2O on Nov 18, 2010 1:27:22 GMT -5
Ya i do agree it can be any time of the year haha got to love evaporative coolers during the summer.
Sophronitis coccinea requires a very large temperature swing between night and day to bloom properly. I personally only grow S. rosea and S. cernua but do know several people that grow it. Mario Ferrusi is a friend of mine and he probably has the best grown S. coccinea in Canada. The thing grows like a weed and had won serval awards. I'd love to try it some time but im just going to stick with the more earth tollerant species haha
But S. coccinea does pass on that trait just like beasseae does to it's hybrids, all of our Slc red jewels, fire lighters, etc are always darker during this time of the year.
I guess we're already off topic but do you grow any of these hybrids?
And did you get to see Jason Fischer's in Winnipeg? I remember you saying he was coming up that way, that would be sweet to hear his talks. Anywho, sorry for getting off topic
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Post by kd on Nov 18, 2010 23:17:15 GMT -5
It's still sort of on topic - just not about CPs
Cool that you are growing the Sophronitis. You must have quite the skill - or a really good set up, or both.
You know Mario? He has been to our show a few times, and he might ber coming back to judge this spring. I have seen some of his S. coccineas, and he can really grow the cool things well. I didn't see any of Jasons S. coccinea - I didn't know he grew them. Yes, he was at our show.
I don't grow any Sophronitis, and don't have any hybrids either. Way too tricky for me. The hybrids aren't hard, but I don't have any currently.
I have a Phrag. besseae in spike now - my first one! ;D and I want to try to get it as cool os possible to accentuate the red. It is a 'pure species' from Ecuagenera, so I'm not sure what it will look like. I hope it has good form and good colour, but you never know. Can't compare to the breeding they have been doing recently.
Does this cool treatment work on Darlingtonias too? I know they are mostly green, but they do have some pigment. Does it stand out more in cooler temps?
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