Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 12:57:29 +0100 From: "antony orpin" <antony@aorpin.freeserve.co.uk> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2698$foo@default> Subject: Late flowering of plants, Indian Summers.
This phenomenon occurs with great regularity if you look at you own
native plants, it only needs a spell of weather that does not
conform to the expected 'norm', considering the photoperiod: ie
consider 'indian summers', in the UK especially in the last 4 years,
it may only take a week of 'unseasonable warmth' to our cultivated
Saras, and enexpected happenings will happen... It is really a
normal occurance, just something that is noted more in cultivation.
The plants will of course set seed, if there is pollinating insects
present etc,etc, but they will not perhaps mature to produce viable
seed with the shortening of the photo-period. Strangely it may
seem, but it is nomal for a plant to make it's 'flowering-bud'
before winter dormancy. It makes no senses for the plant to have to
divert energy in the begining of the growing season, to the
development of this structure, the embryonic structure is there
before dormancy, to allow quick flowering ASAP!! , if this is the
way it is inclined. It is this reason that the plant will
'accidentaly flower', the inflorescence if there, the programing it
recieves from the environment is not correct.
All the best, Tony
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