Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 11:32:17 +0100 From: Phil Wilson <cp@pwilson.demon.co.uk> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2692$foo@default> Subject: Re: Sarracenia flowering
Hi John,
>
>Yes I was writing from the perspective that as the flowers don't set seed and
>don't display their full glory then its better to get rid of them and get the
>plant to save its 'resources' for the following Spring. I forget that the
>flowers are enjoyable in their own right as well <grin>.
>
>One of the interesting things that Phil Wilson came up with was the
>observation that wild Sarras can also flower in the autumn.
>Why would they do this? Do they set seed in the wild at this time? What
>advantage does the plant gain by doing this (and please don't suggest that
>they do it because they want to!!!!! :)
>All the best,
>
Of course its because they want to...
Seriously though, what I believe happens is that the flower buds for the
following spring are formed towards the end of the season. Its likely
that the stimulus for this is a spot of cold and/or dull weather.
Sometimes a return to warmer weather will "fool" the plant into thinking
spring has arrived early and will thus send up a late flower.
It doesn't happen all the time, though it has to be said that dull, cold
weather is a British speciality, so we probably get more late flowers
than elsewhere...:-)
Regards,
Phil Wilson
Email: cp@pwilson.demon.co.uk
Web Site: www.pwilson.demon.co.uk
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 17:35:12 PST