Sweet Potato vines

**M* A* <m*@tds.net>**

"Very interesting, Dan as I just posted the opposite tuber colors from
my experience...now, I wonder if they just vary from plant to plant??"
I'm enjoying this discussion about tuber and leaf colors, although
I'm not into growing them either for food nor ornament. But I am
intrigued with what may cause the different coloration. . . it is
genetics? Or perhaps environment? Perhaps even the nutrients
available to it in the soil?
There's a book written in the early 40's with a 3rd edition published
in 1964 by Howard Sprague entitled "Hunger Signs in Crops." He points
out that the appearance of a plant can often be influenced by the
presence or absence of specific nutrients in the soil. Color plates
show how plants look with certain nutritional deficiencies. Another
aspect of his work is using plants as indicator organisms. . . when
grown in an alkaline soil, for example, blossoms will be XXXXXXX
color, when in an acid soil, they will be YYYYYYY. Or, will have
flowers of one color when XXXXXXX element is in the soil, another
color when it is absent.
It's been years since I've seen a copy of this book, and I've just
ordered a copy through used book dealer online. The concept is
fascinating, and perhaps one that can be made use of by someone with
the inclination to experiment.

Always curious.
Mary Appelhof
--
Mary Appelhof, Author, Worms Eat My Garbage
"Changing the way the world thinks about garbage"
Subscribe to free WormEzine at http://www.wormwoman.com
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