Re: factors affecting flower color was: lilac color change
- Subject: Re: factors affecting flower color was: lilac color change
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 5 May 2001 16:04:32 EDT
In a message dated 5/5/01 3:52:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, mtalt@clark.net
writes:
<< Claire, under normal circs I agree because you really do have to go
for an accepted clone to get a specific color...but have read
numerous posts on other lists concerning the variability of flower
color due to environmental factors. Nobody actually has listed
anything consistent nor hard and fast rules, but it seems that soil,
etc., can have an influence on flower color. These posts have not
been about lilacs, per se, but have covered several genera and seems
to me this could be something that holds true for all flowering
plants. What do you think? >>
Marge,
I think my statement probably too general. You will obviously get less
saturated color in a semi-shady area from a plant that glows in the sun.
There is there also the too often truth that the plant comes to you
mislabelled. You can buy those packaged Dutch bulbs and tuberous perennials
and grow truly weird things.
We blame all of the mislabelled packaged on workers who do not speak English,
be that true or not.
Plants varying in color due to soil pH or containing (or not containing)
various trace minerals is something I don't know much about. Given the same
conditions, a similar clone should be very like it's double. The soil
conditions, I should think, would be miniscule in effecting the plant. The
only plant that I have ever known to be color change susceptible is
hydrangea. Fiddling with soil to achieve a hydrangea color you desire is
more work than I would do when there are so many plants that need less help.
Vegetables have been subject to more studies as I assume they are considered
more valuable than lilacs.
If a plant and it's clone are distinctly different, I would think it is safe
to accept that you have two different plants. Most gardeners would not
pursue this so throwing a bunch of similar lilacs in a shipment could be what
happened to the questioner.
The issue is open pollinated plants (much difference can be seen) as opposed
to vegetatively (exact duplication should be expected). You could also open
the issue of tissue culture. There are problems of color attached to this
type of propagation. Clivia are now in tissue culture and since the cost is
very high, there will probably be many questions about this plant.
Summing up, I don't know much about soil differences so I guess it could
affect color but not so much that you would want to do away with the plant.
If the color difference is very distinct, I would return it for another ( if
possible ).
Poor gardeners now, they have so much to learn. I think the many educational
venues are frightening off gardeners. I recall that I planted all kinds of
things everywhere before I began to consult books. A great deal of learning
was done from grandma or by the seat of your pants. I hope all gardeners are
brave and do what they like in their gardens, ignoring too many experts.
The need for more information comes gradually and you will find it as you
need it. Did I get it right Marge? I spent the day at a NARGS meeting. The
speaker was a Serbian traveler through Asia and Turkey. I came home feeling
I would need another stack of books to ID the beautiful slides he showed. He
spoke clearly with a British accent and knew the many slopes perfectly.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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