Messing with nature - Firefly Petunia
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  #1  
Old 10-03-2024, 12:41 AM
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Messing with nature - Firefly Petunia Female
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Early last summer, I acquired a rather unusual petunia plant. It looks pretty ordinary by day, but after dark it shows another side. It's transgenic, containing a gene from a bioluminescent mushroom. The glow is subtle, strongest in buds and newly-opening flowers. I finally managed to photograph it (6 minute exposure in a very dark room) The photo at first shows just the brightest parts - two flowers just opening, and a bud. But I increased the brightness in Photoshop (no other processing) and sooo much more detail appeared (though the brightening reduced the resolution of the brightest parts, made them a bit overexposed). So... here is the plant in daylight, the photo right out of the camera, and the same photo brightened to see what was REALLY there!. To get that last view with just eyes, neecessary to dark adapt for a bit.
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Old 10-03-2024, 12:58 AM
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That is one cool plant! And it is really cool that you found a way to show luminescent effect via photo!
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Old 10-03-2024, 09:17 PM
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Any idea about the backstory as to why this was done?
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Old 10-03-2024, 09:55 PM
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Here's their website Glowing plants by Light Bio
Somebody had an idea... bioluminescence does fascinate... I got mine when they had an end-of-season deal with free shipping if one ordered 3, a friend wondered if I might want one of the 3. I figured, why not??
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Old 10-04-2024, 12:15 AM
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Interesting. Petunias are tender perennials, though usually treated as annuals, and can be rooted from cuttings.
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Old 10-04-2024, 12:59 AM
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I have brought it indoors, going to see if I can keep it going and propagate a few cuttings. I know that it likes bright light, I have an area in the house that faces south and gets very bright light for much of the day during the winter. (The orchid greenhouse is warm, but far too dim)
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Old 10-04-2024, 02:58 PM
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It should tolerate your Winters outside in sun so long as it doesn't stay drenched with rain and doesn't freeze. People here are planting their annual Winter petunia and geranium beds.
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Old 10-04-2024, 03:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca View Post
It should tolerate your Winters outside in sun so long as it doesn't stay drenched with rain and doesn't freeze. People here are planting their annual Winter petunia and geranium beds.
Maybe... the plant is pretty scraggly-looking, though. It does appear to be starting some new growth at the base. So my inclination is to see if I can keep it going indoors. Give it the best chance, if it doesn't make it, well, it's an annual and I have had my fun.
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