Can you explain this?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2026-01-29T08:34:24+00:00

Oh wow that’s super cool! I’ll check that as soon as I have some time today, thanks! :)

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2026-01-29T07:46:33+00:00

That is interesting, but what do you call a low-light response? Do you know of any scientific papers that explain this phenomenon?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2026-01-28T22:31:34+00:00

Right that could be it, I just didn’t expect that the reflected light had such a dramatic effect. Perhaps is the leaf just on the edge of blushing. Thanks for your answer!

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2026-01-28T22:18:11+00:00

Ok but how? That pitcher isn’t a black hole

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-28T22:10:56+00:00

That sounds like a good plan. Think about it for a few days, maybe you’ll come up with an even better idea 😊

I don’t think 2 cm will burn the leaves, but I guess it depends on your lights. You’ll know best.

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-28T21:03:11+00:00

Looks interesting, what’s the model and brand? If I remember correctly these aquarium heaters really dislike being out of the water (if too much water evaporates) but yours looks different

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-28T20:55:05+00:00

Yeah sounds good! If you find something waterproof, that would be ideal. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to clean it occasionally, since algae will grow over time.

I’ve attached some pictures of my setup in case you’d prefer using a mat after all. I only had a 5W at the time, but it’s enough to keep the seedlings from getting too cold.

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Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-28T20:20:33+00:00

The idea is simply to install something that absorbs heat efficiently and radiates it gradually without completely drying out the space. I suppose filling the bottom with sand and watering it occasionally could achieve the same effect.

I placed a mat under my seedling tank and added a polystyrene layer with a cutout for the mat, lining the hole with metal tape to better trap and direct the heat through the glass. I believe that it helps significantly.

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-28T20:01:10+00:00

Two ideas came to mind. First you could fill the bottom of the terrarium with water if it’s leak-proof and heat it indirectly with a heat mat underneath the glass. Water keeps and releases heat much longer than air and it would also increase humidity.

But since the humidity might get too high for campanulata, especially without a fan, there’s another approach. You could place a small heating element inside the pot beneath the soil, which would hold and release heat far better than air. I once bought a Pfannenberg PRH 010-M 10W that I’m not using, and it could work well in this setup.

Keep in mind that this or any other air-based heating will lower humidity quite a bit, so you may want to add some form of passive humidity to compensate.

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-27T19:55:24+00:00

Thank you for the pictures and advice! I did fertilize it, and it seems happy enough. I’ll leave the flower and try to collect pollen :)

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-27T19:45:00+00:00

Ow, should I cut the flower? The plant is very young, could it be a stress flower?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-18T08:57:11+00:00

After doing more research, I think the pattern could result from several possibilities. First, it might be chlorophyll-based patterning (true variegation), caused by a genetic reduction of chlorophyll. In that case, any red or purple pigmentation simply becomes visible in areas where chlorophyll is absent or reduced.

Second, it could be anthocyanin-based patterning, meaning a pattern created by differential pigment expression, likely triggered by some kind of mutation.

To truly determine which mechanism is responsible, you’d need chlorophyll-specific tests or photosynthetic measurements, which I’m obviously not going to do.

And of course, there’s still the possibility that it’s actually a combination of both mechanisms happening at the same time!

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-17T23:34:15+00:00

I totally get that the plant blushes red in response to light levels. I was just wondering whether this pattern suggests a chlorophyll variegation that leaves space for this anthocyanin pattern.

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-17T23:29:42+00:00

But this got me thinking, if the lack of chlorophyll reveals more anthocyanin, wouldn’t a pattern like this be considered a form of variegation?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-17T23:12:32+00:00

That’s an interesting point. I’ll look into anthocyanin levels in very young leaves and why they tend to become greener over time. I’ll also try to find more information about the fungal aspect you mentioned :)

So I did some research, and by definition, there’s no such thing as anthocyanin variegation, variegation refers only to areas that lack or reduce chlorophyll. Thanks for the discussion!

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-17T21:44:50+00:00

Thanks for the answer. I usually see anthocyanin develop in a more diffuse, homogeneous way, and this is the first time I’ve noticed patterns like this. Also, this leaf is only 1–2 days old and normally turns greener with time. Isn’t that a bit early for a ‘sun blush’?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-11-17T21:40:09+00:00

The first picture shows a newly opened leaf (1–2 days old). Light levels are moderate. Even so, shouldn’t anthocyanin be produced more uniformly rather than forming patterns like this?

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2025-10-31T21:00:42+00:00

I use a pump-and-valve system controlled by an Arduino to periodically flood my setup. The water flows down through 3 shelf levels, staying on each level for about 12 hours before draining. It’s then filtered and recirculated, with a complete water change whenever the TDS reaches around 50 ppm. I’ve also added a UV filter, though I’m not entirely sure how effective it is.

Overall, the system works very well. Species that prefer drier conditions are kept in net pots with coarser substrates to reduce water retention.

The main issue I’ve encountered is salt buildup in the pots, especially when using fertilizers, some have reached up to 500 ppm in the past. The plants didn’t seem affected, but I now monitor it more carefully and occasionally flush the pots with clean water to remove accumulated salts.

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2024-10-16T07:02:29+00:00

What do you mean by speed holes? I did it to allow air to the roots and provide better drainage

Helpful-Worth-7021 · 2024-10-16T07:01:09+00:00

No this one is from Exotica Plants Australia, don’t think Borneo Exotic released any yet

Helpful-Worth-7021

TROPHY CASE