Temperature and Flower Color - Orchid Board

ronaldhanko · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 03:37 PM

The flower shown, Slc. Dream Catcher, has just bloomed for the third time this year. When it flowers during the summer the flowers are a light orange with none of the red veining that is evident in these flowers. During the winter they are a dark orange with considerable red veining. This is typical of flowers (not only orchids) that are in the yellow to red range. Temperature affects the production of anthocyanins and carotenoids, the chemicals that produce these colors. At higher temperatures lesser amounts of these are produced and the flowers are paler in color. At lower temperatures the opposite happens, and the flowers can appear very different in color.

Ross · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 03:41 PM

That's good to know and maybe a start of another thread regarding this tendency?

Not just this plant but others as well. I, certainly, am interested in the answer to the question of temperature affecting coloration.

karren · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 04:18 PM

Best thing I've heard about colder temps.

I had a Bl. Morning Glory or Maidosa bloom last year with almost no color; ir was so pale it was just off-white, previously it had a lovely violet cast.

How about light affecting color? My Mtssa. Royal Robe 'Jerry's Pick' finished blooming with the deep, rich burgandy color and all the same color. I got a new bench and light for the greenhouse and stuck ithe plant right under the light. Well I sunburned many leaves

and the flowers that just opened are paler in color and show more variation.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks for that information! I can now more clearly understand why a picture of the orchid might not match what blooms in my care. For orchids that bloom multiple times in a year, this could be pretty neat though. It's like having 2 (or more) orchids in one!

Tindomul · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 04:58 PM

Light could also be a factor, as light intensity rises in the summer as well. Does your orchid receive more light in the summer time as well? I guess the only real way of controlling for light is to grow under lights in a basement.

ronaldhanko · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 07:55 PM

From what I've read it is not so much light intesity as temperature, but obviously a plant that is getting more light is probably also getting higher temperatures, if not ambient temperatures then certainly at the leaf and bud surface.

tuvoc · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 11:07 AM

This reminds me of an informal and very unscientific experiment I read about in the AOS Bulletin many years ago.Three members of the staff each acquired a plant of Vuyl. Cambria 'Plush', a very famous clone at the time. Each took it home, and grew it under thier own conditions. When they bloomed, they compared the resulting blooms, which showed such dramatic variations, they appeared to be three different crosses altogether. The conclusion was that different growing conditions can affect flowering characteristics significantly.

Kim

ronaldhanko · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuvoc

This reminds me of an informal and very unscientific experiment I read about in the AOS Bulletin many years ago.Three members of the staff each acquired a plant of Vuyl. Cambria 'Plush', a very famous clone at the time. Each took it home, and grew it under thier own conditions. When they bloomed, they compared the resulting blooms, which showed such dramatic variations, they appeared to be three different crosses altogether. The conclusion was that different growing conditions can affect flowering characteristics significantly.

Kim

Do you have a reference for that article, Kim? Sounds like something I'd like to read.

tuvoc · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 12:36 PM

Ron, it was a VERY long time ago, when they were still in located in Cambridge, Mass. I'm not sure if I still have that issue. Might check the AOS website.

Kim

ronaldhanko · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 01:28 PM

On this particular plant the light intensity is the same year around - so are watering and fertilizing regimes. It is very definitely the temperature that affects the flower color and I have noticed the same with other hybrids of Sophronitis coccinea. This has been demonstrated with other flowers as well: carnations for example (http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/articl...6A0491900.php). Some commercial growers of cut orchids even recommend placing the plants in a cool house for a time before cutting the flowers in order to strengthen flower color.