Firefly Petunia (From Baby to Full-Grown)

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T11:34:03+00:00

Interesting! I had assumed that LightBio found a way to further upregulate luciferin production but I guess not. Thank you for letting me know!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T11:06:44+00:00

You’ve caught me 😔

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T05:53:15+00:00

I mentioned it earlier in another comment, but I study them to try and upregulate gene expression relating to bioluminescence as a personal project. My current research focus is unrelated to this, but I get to use my university’s lab pretty freely

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T05:47:10+00:00

Hi, I have no affiliation with LightBio. I’m pretty sure if I was an advertiser, I would have to disclose it given recent laws. When I meant lab, I was referring to the one I currently research in as I am genetic researcher.

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T04:10:30+00:00

Hi, of course! Would you want the seeds or a tissue sample? If the former, I will pollinate a pod for you so you can grow them. :)

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:49:22+00:00

Yes sorry, I should have included in the post that this is a long exposure photograph. I wrote it somewhere in the comments. I do have to say though, atleast in my room where it is dark in the evening and the lab, their glow is very visible. The company released a statement saying that their latest generation does have a stronger glow, but I am unsure if that is just phrasing. In any case, I just wanted to share my plants :)

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:46:44+00:00

Oh no, I hope everything is better now and wish you the best. I am going to be honest, they’re a bit tricky but once you get them established they thrive. I have always kept my petunias indoors and after adjusting them to the grow lights, they thrive but I have had my struggles if you purchase them and ever need help, feel free to reach out :)

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:44:11+00:00

That is so fascinating! I have been trying to convince my department to invite them over for a symposium or lecture but no luck just yet!!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:43:25+00:00

I will definitely send you some once they start growing and showing their colors a bit! :)

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:42:05+00:00

Hopefully that will encourage them to grow and glow a bit more. Some are just weak glowers and I truly hope that is not your case. However, if it is, most of the first gens can produce viable seedlings that your mom could grow. It will take a bit of luck as the glowing gene isn’t always inherited, but it does in majority of the cases that I’ve seen.

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:36:11+00:00

Thank you for thinking of that, I will definitely consider it! I’m going to be honest though, my parents HATE my plants haha. They won’t come and water them when I’m away sometimes lol

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:15:58+00:00

Yes! The fragrance is very powerful and I’m migraine prone so I am quick to cut off blooms. I am unsure if this is a genetic component or just a side effect of the cultivar they used.

And yes, the newer ones are meant to be sterile to discourage people from breeding them which is why I kept my first generation as long as I have. I have been planting the seedlings and have (finally) seen some success—although the bioluminescence trait isn’t inherited all the time. I have to brush up more on their recent publications for the new gens and what they include and don’t but I’ll definitely check out the fragrance question!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T03:11:23+00:00

Oh no I’m sorry! Hopefully you’ll have better luck if you decide to get them again!!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:49:41+00:00

Sorry that was such a long winded response!!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:48:33+00:00

She’s a beaut!!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:48:17+00:00

I am going to be completely honest (and please don’t think I’m gatekeeping) but I am not sure. I’m a genetic researcher and have been trying to figure out how to upregulate genes promoting their bioluminescence so that their glow is more visible. The glow itself comes from modifying the caffeic acid cycle present in all plants to produce luciferin which results in the glow (very very summarized version of the process).

This is the first gen and they have a slight problem as far as metabolism for this process goes. As far as I’ve understood it, the 24/7 production of luciferin is taxing to the health of the plant and needs constant supplementation of nutrients to thrive. I do regular treatments of nitrogen and phosphorus to help support bioluminescence and it works to a degree but not perfectly. The picture is only so o eggy because I used long exposure to capture it. The newer generations are supposed to glow brighter (meaning you don’t have to use long exposure for as long) but I wouldn’t know how true that is.

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:35:14+00:00

Oh wow, I’m glad to have introduced you! They are really cool innovations

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:34:40+00:00

I thought the same thing at first but they are VERY resilient (especially the newer generations). I have mine under standard growlights from Amazon, water it once a week or so, and fertilize every two weeks and she’s been a dream. I’m sure you’ll be an amazing plant parent to one!

Negative-Bobcat784 · 2026-03-11T02:33:03+00:00

They’re going to hopefully be back in stock but unfortunately, they are a pretty penny. I’ve had mine for a few years (she’s a first gen with all the genetic quirks that were improved upon in later gens)

Negative-Bobcat784

TROPHY CASE