Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Sinead on 24/10/2011 04:01:02

Title: Does unseasonable weather confuse plants?
Post by: Sinead on 24/10/2011 04:01:02

Sinead asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Dear Chris and the team,

I'm Sinead from Colchester, and I've been wondering how plants tell which season it is and whether the unusually warm weather we've been having will confuse them.

Thanks for the great show! (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/)

Sinead

What do you think?

Title: Does unseasonable weather confuse plants?
Post by: Don_1 on 24/10/2011 10:48:35

Absolutely yes. The unusual weather the UK has had this year caused roses to bloom early and strawberries were ready to harvest a month earlier than usual. These are just two of the many instances of irregular growth, flowering and fruiting which have been recorded this year. By contrast, I have a Hibiscus which would normally flower around the beginning of August, but this year many buds remained closed until late August. The result was a very sparse and intermittent flowering, instead of the usual burst of colour.

Now I have a Hosta which flowered in the spring and is again in full flower????