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#1
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The blues (long)
A rainy day today, and I am investigating color, namely blue. The effects of
temperature and weather on apple color is general knowledge here, and driving through the orchards I began to wonder which external influences can be used to heighten the blue color of orchids. This abstract came up in The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology: "This study aimed to understand factors affecting leaf pigmentation of the woody subtropical plant Chrysobalanus icaco, referred to as cocoplum. The effects of temperature, UV-light and magnesium treatments were examined at different developmental stages. Shoot growth intensity and chlorophyll concentrations increased while anthocyanin concentration decreased with rise in temperature. UV-a light had a slight effect on shoot growth, but no effect on the pigment concentration of the leaves. Anthocyanin concentration decreased while chlorophyll increased as leaves matured. The change in anthocyanin concentration was due to dilution of the pigment at the early stages of development and its degradation later on. In an attempt to inhibit anthocyanin degradation in maturing leaves, whole plants were treated with magnesium salts. Magnesium increased anthocyanin concentration two fold at the developmental stage at which degradation was detected in control plants. By controlling UV-a light via shading, applying magnesium treatments, growers may manipulate both plant height and colour, thereby increasing the horticultural value of the crops." This from the Journal of Commodity Science: M. Fiorini, G. Barbiroli, P.G. Pifferi, "Effect of pH and temperature changes on the colour of anthocyanins" Abstract "Structural transformations of anthocyanins in water solution at different temperature were observed by measuring objective colour parameters Lightness, Chroma and Hue according to CIE specifications. The pigments selected for this study were glycosides of the most common anthocyanidins: Pelargonidin, Cyanidin, Delphinidin, Petunidin, Peonidin and Malvidin. When pH was increased stepwise from acid to acidic and then basic values, structural transformations of anthocyanin pigments resulted in a general increase of Lightness, while Chroma and Hue showed more complex change patterns. Temperature had a little influence on the final Lightness, Chroma and Hue values, but at the lower temperature, 10 and 25 °C, Hue values characteristic of blue region were observed for some anthocyanins at pH values between 3 and 7. Finally, in the experiments where pH was held at constant values close to 1 and pigment concentration was decreased by dilution, Lightness, Chroma and Hue changes were completely different from the previous experiment set. This clearly indicated that colour measurements were able to distinguish colour changes due to structural transformations from those changes due to simple dilution effects." This from Hydrangea production: For blue sepals: ample supply of Al (greater than 100 ppm); drench blue plants during Sept. with Al sulfate, 2 applications 14 days apart medium N levels (20-30 ppm) low P level (1-5 ppm) high K (25-50 ppm) So my question for you chemistry and orchid fanatics is, how many, if any of these measures, and which others could be tried to enhance blue color in orchids? Measures in short: -Magnesium -Aluminum -Low temps -Light -Fertilizer -pH -reduced watering Thanks at least for reading if my thoughts are way off line. -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#2
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If you can find this article read it:
1997. Griesbach, R.J. The biochemical basis for the blue flower color mutations in Doritis pulcherrima and Phalaenopsis violacea. Lindleyana 12:64-71. In short it says pH in the cell vacuoles of the flower tissue is responsible for blue in these two species. Cell pH, here, must be bred for. It can not be altered by manipulating environmental factor like it can be in hydrangeas. To breed for blue, you must breed for a certain cell pH. Here is an online link to a nice discussion of pigments and how they work in orchids to make flower color http://www.orchidtrek.com/color/color.html http://www.orchidtrek.com/color/color.html "Reka" wrote in message ... A rainy day today, and I am investigating color, namely blue. The effects of temperature and weather on apple color is general knowledge here, and driving through the orchards I began to wonder which external influences can be used to heighten the blue color of orchids. This abstract came up in The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology: "This study aimed to understand factors affecting leaf pigmentation of the woody subtropical plant Chrysobalanus icaco, referred to as cocoplum. The effects of temperature, UV-light and magnesium treatments were examined at different developmental stages. Shoot growth intensity and chlorophyll concentrations increased while anthocyanin concentration decreased with rise in temperature. UV-a light had a slight effect on shoot growth, but no effect on the pigment concentration of the leaves. Anthocyanin concentration decreased while chlorophyll increased as leaves matured. The change in anthocyanin concentration was due to dilution of the pigment at the early stages of development and its degradation later on. In an attempt to inhibit anthocyanin degradation in maturing leaves, whole plants were treated with magnesium salts. Magnesium increased anthocyanin concentration two fold at the developmental stage at which degradation was detected in control plants. By controlling UV-a light via shading, applying magnesium treatments, growers may manipulate both plant height and colour, thereby increasing the horticultural value of the crops." This from the Journal of Commodity Science: M. Fiorini, G. Barbiroli, P.G. Pifferi, "Effect of pH and temperature changes on the colour of anthocyanins" Abstract "Structural transformations of anthocyanins in water solution at different temperature were observed by measuring objective colour parameters Lightness, Chroma and Hue according to CIE specifications. The pigments selected for this study were glycosides of the most common anthocyanidins: Pelargonidin, Cyanidin, Delphinidin, Petunidin, Peonidin and Malvidin. When pH was increased stepwise from acid to acidic and then basic values, structural transformations of anthocyanin pigments resulted in a general increase of Lightness, while Chroma and Hue showed more complex change patterns. Temperature had a little influence on the final Lightness, Chroma and Hue values, but at the lower temperature, 10 and 25 °C, Hue values characteristic of blue region were observed for some anthocyanins at pH values between 3 and 7. Finally, in the experiments where pH was held at constant values close to 1 and pigment concentration was decreased by dilution, Lightness, Chroma and Hue changes were completely different from the previous experiment set. This clearly indicated that colour measurements were able to distinguish colour changes due to structural transformations from those changes due to simple dilution effects." This from Hydrangea production: For blue sepals: ample supply of Al (greater than 100 ppm); drench blue plants during Sept. with Al sulfate, 2 applications 14 days apart medium N levels (20-30 ppm) low P level (1-5 ppm) high K (25-50 ppm) So my question for you chemistry and orchid fanatics is, how many, if any of these measures, and which others could be tried to enhance blue color in orchids? Measures in short: -Magnesium -Aluminum -Low temps -Light -Fertilizer -pH -reduced watering Thanks at least for reading if my thoughts are way off line. -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#3
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Yes, I read that already, but I am not talking about breeding, I am talking
about *enhancing* the blue pigmentation in a flower that already possesses it, such as Dtps. Kenneth Schubert. Can't it be influenced by external factors? I know temperature plays a role. -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "Al" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... If you can find this article read it: 1997. Griesbach, R.J. The biochemical basis for the blue flower color mutations in Doritis pulcherrima and Phalaenopsis violacea. Lindleyana 12:64-71. In short it says pH in the cell vacuoles of the flower tissue is responsible for blue in these two species. Cell pH, here, must be bred for. It can not be altered by manipulating environmental factor like it can be in hydrangeas. To breed for blue, you must breed for a certain cell pH. Here is an online link to a nice discussion of pigments and how they work in orchids to make flower color http://www.orchidtrek.com/color/color.html --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#4
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J Fortuna wrote: ........................... Whatever happened to Mick? He hasn't been around lately, and I don't remember seeing any posts of his after the latest of the Florida hurricanes. Does anyone know if Mick is alright?....................... My goodness, you are right. I just checked and it has been a full 6 weeks since Mick has posted anything. Quick!! Somebody post some pictures to see if he is here. ;-) Seriously, I hope he is OK. Steve |
#5
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Steve,
What a good idea you had there. :-) And Mike actually did it. And it produced the foreseen result of bringing Mick out of wherever it is he has been hiding. So I am guessing he is ok. Even if in a bad mood. Joanna "Steve" wrote in message ... J Fortuna wrote: ........................... Whatever happened to Mick? He hasn't been around lately, and I don't remember seeing any posts of his after the latest of the Florida hurricanes. Does anyone know if Mick is alright?....................... My goodness, you are right. I just checked and it has been a full 6 weeks since Mick has posted anything. Quick!! Somebody post some pictures to see if he is here. ;-) Seriously, I hope he is OK. Steve |
#6
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Steve,
What a good idea you had there. :-) And Mike actually did it. And it produced the foreseen result of bringing Mick out of wherever it is he has been hiding. So I am guessing he is ok. Even if in a bad mood. Joanna "Steve" wrote in message ... J Fortuna wrote: ........................... Whatever happened to Mick? He hasn't been around lately, and I don't remember seeing any posts of his after the latest of the Florida hurricanes. Does anyone know if Mick is alright?....................... My goodness, you are right. I just checked and it has been a full 6 weeks since Mick has posted anything. Quick!! Somebody post some pictures to see if he is here. ;-) Seriously, I hope he is OK. Steve |
#7
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Reka: The most logical and straightforward- if not the least expensive- manner in which to express blue coloration in flowers is through transgenic processes. Indeed, Florigene has already pulled this off with roses, expressing delphinidin in flowers. They're still not a good blue, but that can be improved. There's also a new route involving liver enzymes that is expected to express blue once the genes have been installed. Of course, whether it'll light the world on fire is another matter. Until the burning, urgent need for blue flowers is expressed on page one of the Wall Street Journal, it'll be another freak. The e-mail address in the header is not valid. Send no mail there. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ |
#8
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Thanks, Aaron, that sounds like it may be promising. Liver, too, since
liverwort *is* a lovely shade of blue! ;-Þ Is there anything Joe Schmo can do at home to enhance blue color in the orchids he already owns, however? -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "Aaron Hicks" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Reka: The most logical and straightforward- if not the least expensive- manner in which to express blue coloration in flowers is through transgenic processes. Indeed, Florigene has already pulled this off with roses, expressing delphinidin in flowers. They're still not a good blue, but that can be improved. There's also a new route involving liver enzymes that is expected to express blue once the genes have been installed. Of course, whether it'll light the world on fire is another matter. Until the burning, urgent need for blue flowers is expressed on page one of the Wall Street Journal, it'll be another freak. The e-mail address in the header is not valid. Send no mail there. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#9
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My blue flowers always look more blue under florescent lights. I have never
heard of anything that you can do to or treat an orchid with that will intensify a pigment or group of pigments in a specific, predictable way. You mentioned the intensifying effect of pigments by manipulating light levels and fertilizer and temperature but I don't think they can be used to direct the color where you want it to go. Try watering them with blue food color in the water. Hey, it works on celery stalks. :-) But start just prior to when the buds form on the spikes and continue until they are fully imbibed and opening. You might be surprised. If this is going to work, it would probably be most effective on those plants which are in a more hydroponics growing situation. "Reka" wrote in message ... Thanks, Aaron, that sounds like it may be promising. Liver, too, since liverwort *is* a lovely shade of blue! ;-Þ Is there anything Joe Schmo can do at home to enhance blue color in the orchids he already owns, however? -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "Aaron Hicks" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Reka: The most logical and straightforward- if not the least expensive- manner in which to express blue coloration in flowers is through transgenic processes. Indeed, Florigene has already pulled this off with roses, expressing delphinidin in flowers. They're still not a good blue, but that can be improved. There's also a new route involving liver enzymes that is expected to express blue once the genes have been installed. Of course, whether it'll light the world on fire is another matter. Until the burning, urgent need for blue flowers is expressed on page one of the Wall Street Journal, it'll be another freak. The e-mail address in the header is not valid. Send no mail there. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#10
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AN article written by Bob Griesbach on "Creating Customer Colored Orchid
Flowers" talks of the flavonoids expressing themselves as more blue at higher pH - just like hydrangeas. If anyone wants a copy, let me know and I'll email it. One problems, however, is that orchids absorb nutrition better in a slightly acid environment. Maybe one should elevate the pH as the bud grows??? -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Al" wrote in message ... My blue flowers always look more blue under florescent lights. I have never heard of anything that you can do to or treat an orchid with that will intensify a pigment or group of pigments in a specific, predictable way. You mentioned the intensifying effect of pigments by manipulating light levels and fertilizer and temperature but I don't think they can be used to direct the color where you want it to go. Try watering them with blue food color in the water. Hey, it works on celery stalks. :-) But start just prior to when the buds form on the spikes and continue until they are fully imbibed and opening. You might be surprised. If this is going to work, it would probably be most effective on those plants which are in a more hydroponics growing situation. "Reka" wrote in message ... Thanks, Aaron, that sounds like it may be promising. Liver, too, since liverwort *is* a lovely shade of blue! ;-Þ Is there anything Joe Schmo can do at home to enhance blue color in the orchids he already owns, however? -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "Aaron Hicks" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Reka: The most logical and straightforward- if not the least expensive- manner in which to express blue coloration in flowers is through transgenic processes. Indeed, Florigene has already pulled this off with roses, expressing delphinidin in flowers. They're still not a good blue, but that can be improved. There's also a new route involving liver enzymes that is expected to express blue once the genes have been installed. Of course, whether it'll light the world on fire is another matter. Until the burning, urgent need for blue flowers is expressed on page one of the Wall Street Journal, it'll be another freak. The e-mail address in the header is not valid. Send no mail there. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#11
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AN article written by Bob Griesbach on "Creating Customer Colored Orchid
Flowers" talks of the flavonoids expressing themselves as more blue at higher pH - just like hydrangeas. If anyone wants a copy, let me know and I'll email it. One problems, however, is that orchids absorb nutrition better in a slightly acid environment. Maybe one should elevate the pH as the bud grows??? -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Al" wrote in message ... My blue flowers always look more blue under florescent lights. I have never heard of anything that you can do to or treat an orchid with that will intensify a pigment or group of pigments in a specific, predictable way. You mentioned the intensifying effect of pigments by manipulating light levels and fertilizer and temperature but I don't think they can be used to direct the color where you want it to go. Try watering them with blue food color in the water. Hey, it works on celery stalks. :-) But start just prior to when the buds form on the spikes and continue until they are fully imbibed and opening. You might be surprised. If this is going to work, it would probably be most effective on those plants which are in a more hydroponics growing situation. "Reka" wrote in message ... Thanks, Aaron, that sounds like it may be promising. Liver, too, since liverwort *is* a lovely shade of blue! ;-Þ Is there anything Joe Schmo can do at home to enhance blue color in the orchids he already owns, however? -- Reka This is LIFE! It's not a rehearsal. Don't miss it! http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "Aaron Hicks" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Reka: The most logical and straightforward- if not the least expensive- manner in which to express blue coloration in flowers is through transgenic processes. Indeed, Florigene has already pulled this off with roses, expressing delphinidin in flowers. They're still not a good blue, but that can be improved. There's also a new route involving liver enzymes that is expected to express blue once the genes have been installed. Of course, whether it'll light the world on fire is another matter. Until the burning, urgent need for blue flowers is expressed on page one of the Wall Street Journal, it'll be another freak. The e-mail address in the header is not valid. Send no mail there. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.784 / Virus Database: 530 - Release Date: 27.10.04 |
#12
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Al wrote: ..................................... .......................................... Try watering them with blue food color in the water. Hey, it works on celery stalks. :-).............................................. .................................................. ...................... This thought has often crossed my mind. I've also wondered (assuming it works even slightly) if AOS judges have judged plants that were treated this way without their knowledge. Steve |
#13
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Al wrote: ..................................... .......................................... Try watering them with blue food color in the water. Hey, it works on celery stalks. :-).............................................. .................................................. ...................... This thought has often crossed my mind. I've also wondered (assuming it works even slightly) if AOS judges have judged plants that were treated this way without their knowledge. Steve |
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