Various Neos, 2017 in Review

[Shoreguy]

Quote:
What does Koshi-fu mean wrt N Shingetsu?

Hakumins reply:

Koshifu 腰斑, is a type of tora-fu variegation where primarily the base of the leaf is variegated

Another question involving N Shingetsu:

Is the red base affected by the amount of light received? In particular will too much light result in it becoming darker to even maroon or brown?

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Is the red base affected by the amount of light received?

Yes, amount of light is one factor in the appearance of this variety. Other conditions like temperature also have equally big roles though.

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

In particular will too much light result in it becoming darker to even maroon or brown?

No.

Firstly, anthocyanin pigment in neos is always red or pink. It only looks maroon, brown or black in most plants because of optical color mixing. The red anthocyanin color combines with the green chlorophyll color making it look maroon or brown.

When a neo is given too much light, the plant will often produce increased anthocyanin pigmentation in an effort to protect itself from the excess light. However, the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves also decreases, reducing the saturation of green. This actually makes the anthocyanin pigmentation look redder rather than browner, though at such high light levels, the plant will generally take on a sickly appearance overall.

In Shingetsu, increased light often will increase the yellowness of the koshi-fu, causing the anthocyanin pigmentation to show its red color more clearly without interference from the green chlorophyll, making the stem look redder.

Simply giving it excessive light to encourage this is a good way to kill the plant though. The overall conditions need to be properly balanced get the best appearance paired with the best health.

[Shoreguy]

Thank you Hakumin for your detailed answer to my question. It is very helpful.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 PM ----------

Does your answer also apply to Neof Izumibotan?

I suspect yes.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Does your answer also apply to Neof Izumibotan?

Izumibotan doesn't produce anthocyanins as readily as Shingetsu does. If one shows significant red pigmentation beyond just the very base of the stem, it's getting far more light than appropriate for the variety.