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Olafhenny · 04-04-2011, 01:08 PM

Hi Steve,

Here follows my conjecture, why my plant could still be a C. Spicatus/Saber, even though it is not
sprouting maroon.

I have always looked at the purple or red colouring of foliage as being akin to sun-tanning. It is
protective colouring against UV rays. Put a red leaved plant into shade and the leaves will be mostly
green, to allow maximal exposure of the chlorophyll. Move that plant into the sun and the green
will be covered with a protective ‘curtain’ of red or purple pigment.

Now back to the C. Spicatus/Saber: When the shoot first breaks surface with its tip suddenly
exposed to sun light, it softens that shock temporarily with protective pigmentation. However
in my case the plant was in an environment equivalent to a bright room away from the window.
Add to that, that it happened on a day, which was not particularly bright to start out with and you
have an environment, which made the protective pigmentation unnecessary.

So let us do, as you suggested: wait, see and take more pictures as growth progresses.
Thank you for your continued interest in – and moral support for my little project

Best,
Olaf

04-04-2011, 01:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 297,528 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: My quest for ginger Hi Steve, Here follows my conjecture, why my plant could still be a C. Spicatus/Saber, even though it is not sprouting maroon. I have always looked at the purple or red colouring of foliage as being akin to sun-tanning. It is protective colouring against UV rays. Put a red leaved plant into shade and the leaves will be mostly green, to allow maximal exposure of the chlorophyll. Move that plant into the sun and the green will be covered with a protective ‘curtain’ of red or purple pigment. Now back to the C. Spicatus/Saber: When the shoot first breaks surface with its tip suddenly exposed to sun light, it softens that shock temporarily with protective pigmentation. However in my case the plant was in an environment equivalent to a bright room away from the window. Add to that, that it happened on a day, which was not particularly bright to start out with and you have an environment, which made the protective pigmentation unnecessary. So let us do, as you suggested: wait, see and take more pictures as growth progresses. Thank you for your continued interest in – and moral support for my little project Best, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.