Just like we humans, fuchsias can also get a bit grumpy and difficult if the weather gets too chilly. Red leaves, as shown on this fuchsia plant, is a sure sign they have caught a chill. It is usually caused by the build-up of the red pigments, anthocyanins, and is especially associated with fabulous autumn colours in certain years (think about acers and ancient oaks).Although commonly believed to be due to early frosts, this is not in fact the case. Anthocyanins build up in the leaves with an increase of carbohydrates (sugars). This occurs during cold nights and warm sunny days. Carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis in the leaves during the day, are not fully distributed at night because this process slows down due to low temperature. Hence the build-up.
WHERE'S THE CHLOROPHYLL?
The green chlorophyll has not disappeared. It's still there, masked by the anthocyanins. We can show this by boiling the leaf. Because anthocyanins are water soluble they will be removed once the cell walls have been broken down, leaving the chlorophyll pigments, which are lipid (fat) soluble, not water soluble.
This leaf was taken from the plant above, then the left half was boiled for about 30 seconds in a microwave. You can see the red anthocyanins have disappeared, leaving it surprisingly green and normal-looking.WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Unfortunately, the leaves do not behave like traffic lights. They don't turn back to green once warmer weather arrives. However, new green leaves do finally appear and things return to normal.
P.S. Triphyllas also contain anthocyanins.
P.P.S. ON NO ACCOUNT BOIL YOUR PLANTS; THEY WILL NOT RECOVER!
4 comments:
Great informative post! I want to try this experiment with some leaves from my plant. Very interesting!
What temperature is best for fuchsia, then? It's only been down to 60 at night here, but the leaves are turning red. This is my first fuchsia plant, so I'm uncertain as to the particulars. Please help?
Fuchsias like it cool and humid. They do best in the UK from late summer until the frosts come, so are thriving right now. They do not thrive in higher temperatures and will actually stop growing on hot summer days.
Cooler temperatures do not seem to matter in the autumn as the sun is weaker at this time, so photosynthesis(and hence sugar production) is not as great. I find that it is the red fuchsias which get the red leaves.
If you are selecting a spot in your garden for fuchsias, try to choose a shady, cool, humid spot, free from draughts. This in itself will help pr
event red leaves, as night and day temperatures will be more even.
Sunlight will also affect flower colour and will fade them. However, white flowers also have problems, as they will turn pink in sunlight.
Hope this will be helpful.
Best wishes,
Jimini
Not sure it that really answered your question. I always find the most problems after the sunniest days of early spring, especially if there is a biting east wind. These conditions are so severe that anthocyanin build-up (causing red leaves) occurs during daylight hours, especially with red fuchsias. So keep them out of these conditions.
I should also add that mineral deficiencies can also cause red leaves. So, make sure the compost or soil is fertile, supplied with a good balanced feed, and pay particular attention to Nitrogen and Potassium deficiencies.
Any good gardening book will show images of the effects of these deficiencies.
Jimini
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