The Variation in Variegation….
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Most of you have realized by now that in a cage match between yourself and Mother Nature – you have very low odds of winning! The second you turn your head – she’s got the upper hand!
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For example, take the abundance of variegated plants on the market, and why they tend to revert back to solid green just a few years after they’re planted! Don’t get me wrong – I love variegated plants and use them a TON in my designs. These plants have usually been tested for years to make sure they’re fairly tough and maintain their variegated leaves for a long time (note I didn’t say ‘forever’).
Why, then, do they want to revert back to green? Well, in a nutshell…the variegated leaf is one without pigmentation – not so great for the plant since it’s the pigment that absorbs the chlorophyll that supplies the plant with energy. That’s why you may have noticed that variegated plants aren’t usually as hardy as the solid-green versions. So, naturally, the variegated plant will try and send out it’s sturdier, hardier, tougher solid green leaves now and then. If you don’t prune these leaves or stems back to the base of the plant, Mother Nature will soon take over and turn the entire plant solid green.
My Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is a perfect example. Just a few months ago, it was variegated with just a few solid green leaves (photo on the left). I went on vacation, did a couple of things around the house, and before I knew it – BAM!!- the whole plant is green with just a few variegated leaves struggling to survive!
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Arabis, Hydrangeas, Euonymous and Pittosporum are other classic examples of plants which revert back to green.
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My HAIR, on the other hand, is just the opposite. It’s sending out variegated hairs at the speed of light, dominating my solid-brown hairs. Mother Nature can be so unfair….
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October 2nd, 2009 saat: 4:38 am
I hear you on that one.
Good luck pulling out that green Houttynia — that stuff stinks! I remember it from when I worked in a nursery years ago. Like soap, but more acrid. A weird smell.
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 5:04 am
Interesting post! You have a great blog design. I can relate to the hair variation.
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 6:23 am
Variegated plants reverted because most of them are what is called “chimeras” — different layers of cells are genetically different, one layer being white, the other layers the usual green. Usually new shoots come from buds, which are made from all the layers of the plant, but sometimes new shoots can originate from a single cell — if that single cell is from the all white layer, you get an albino shoot which quickly dies. If it is from the green layer, you get an all green shoot which quickly takes over.
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 6:52 am
I agree, Andy – that is one stinky plant! Every time I brush by it, the odor it releases is overpowering. I think I’ll just start over with another variegated one instead of pulling the green shoots out – totally worth the $9.00!
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 6:53 am
Thanks, Amy! Glad you like it!
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 6:58 am
Thanks for the explanation! you obviously have way more experience in this area than I do…so is my ‘in a nutshell’ theory wrong? (I did check a few places on the web to get some info on this, which doesn’t always mean much as we all know….)? Or does your detailed comment just delve further into the explanation?
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 9:30 am
Oh, your explanation was right, I just threw in more detail because I think the whole chimera thing is freakishly cool. I’m a nerd.
October 2nd, 2009 saat: 12:17 pm
Thankfully we can do something about our own variegation! Too funny!
October 3rd, 2009 saat: 10:34 am
I always learn cool stuff from your blog posts. Keep ‘em coming Rebecca!
October 4th, 2009 saat: 3:47 am
Hi Rebecca, love the idea of variegated hair! We are going back to the natural and as the red lengths give way to variegated new growth, it is best to avoid the mirror. Now to the plants, the one most troubling here is the Sedum ‘Frosty Morn’. The frost is gone and even the habit has reverted to long and floppy. Dang those chimeras!
Frances
October 4th, 2009 saat: 10:09 am
Varigated hair?, no problem here( thanks again for the y chromosome, Dad) it just makes us look extinguished…err, distiguished, ya, thats it …distinguished.
Good subject Rebecca, like the blog.
Scott
October 4th, 2009 saat: 11:01 am
Thanks Frances & Scott – glad to hear you’re both enjoying your own natural hair variegation….I, however, am fighting it to the bitter end…..(and quickly losing)
October 9th, 2009 saat: 3:23 pm
Ha Ha Ha
There you go being seriously funny again while at the same time educating us! I didn’t know that cutting off the solid green leaves would help! I just thought I had to live with it…thank you for the good advice and the good giggle!