Genuinely blue plants are few and far between in nature and that's the problem. Nature has evolved the best possible ways of reproduction in plants and the insects they rely on for that process have their own particular spectrums of light which they use to identify nectar rich plants. Much of what we see insects see in a totally different light spectrum and don't appear in the colours we can see. It's a totally different world of light.
Breeders breed blue plants because we demand it, not because nature intended.
As Dave has said ...... and to go just a bit further, if a specific type of plant does not have the genetic make up to produce blue flowers then up until now it has been highly unlikely that the plant breeders would be able to make it produce blue flowers.
Just as if you and your partner don't carry the genes to produce a child with red hair or green eyes, then it's impossible for you to produce such a child.
Of course, with genetic engineering many things may be possible in the future, if that is the path we choose to follow.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The problem is that the yellows and reds are produced by families of chemicals which do not come in blue, Blue colours come from a completely different family of chemicals called anthocyanins.Plants don't use both types of pigment so no amount of messing about will give blue flowers if there wasn't any in the first place.
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Genuinely blue plants are few and far between in nature and that's the problem. Nature has evolved the best possible ways of reproduction in plants and the insects they rely on for that process have their own particular spectrums of light which they use to identify nectar rich plants. Much of what we see insects see in a totally different light spectrum and don't appear in the colours we can see. It's a totally different world of light.
Breeders breed blue plants because we demand it, not because nature intended.
I understand that the plants we perceive as white have different colours to the insect' s eye with coloured 'runways' to guide them to the pollen.
As Dave has said ...... and to go just a bit further, if a specific type of plant does not have the genetic make up to produce blue flowers then up until now it has been highly unlikely that the plant breeders would be able to make it produce blue flowers.
Just as if you and your partner don't carry the genes to produce a child with red hair or green eyes, then it's impossible for you to produce such a child.
Of course, with genetic engineering many things may be possible in the future, if that is the path we choose to follow.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Red white and blue cauliflower
Would look a bit odd with a cheese sauce
As long as it's not red white and blue children
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The problem is that the yellows and reds are produced by families of chemicals which do not come in blue, Blue colours come from a completely different family of chemicals called anthocyanins.Plants don't use both types of pigment so no amount of messing about will give blue flowers if there wasn't any in the first place.
http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/7H.html
Thanks so much Alan. It's fascinating. Have had a quick read. Will save link to study later