A couple of hours later, as the day heats up, some of the leaves have started to curl slightly, showing more of their purple undersides.
By early afternoon, the leaves are showing more curl and several have begun to lift themselves up.
By the time evening approaches and the sun starts to set, the leaves have stretched upwards as far as they can reach, showing much of their purple undersides.
During the evening, the leaves will again lower themselves and uncurl, ready to start the entire cycle again the next day. Makes for a rather fun show.
Ha! That's cool!
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty dramatic change, but it happens so gradually, I wouldn't have noticed it. Thanks for pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how plants protect themselves isn't it? The foliage of that ginger is a winner.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they did that. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear....another plant for my 'have to have' list.
Wow. This is something I didn't know. What a cool plant!
ReplyDeleteI love variegated plants. This is a beautiful plant but wouldn't be hardy where I live, in upstate NY. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteThat is one pretty display. I had visions from your title that the whole plant was going to fade and die so it was a nice surprise to see it will rise and fall yet another day.
ReplyDeleteHats off to ya! This is one plant I cannot grow. It turns brown on the edges and then starts to fade. If you check at night, you might notice the leaves straight up again...prayer plants do this as well and hence the nickname.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the movement is caused by changes in humidity and happens due to a special set of 'hinge' cells at the base of the leaf. This is one smart plant and will curl leaves to stop transpiration. Other gingers do this as well. Nice plant!
David/ Tropical Texana/ :-)
Kacky & NotSoAngry: It's pretty neat.
ReplyDeleteAbbey: I know; it really doesn't get noticeable until almost sunset - then you're like "When did that happen?"
Cat: The foliage is real nice.
Linda: I'd recommend it (for a pot, of course)
Bookworm: I'm a variegated fan too. It isn't even hardy here with our winters (thus the pot), so it'd really get creamed in NY!
Lancashire: Not dead yet (though it's still under my care - so there's still a chance!)
David: I'm surprised - this seems like exactly the type for your Tropical Texana garden! Ain't it weird how certain varieties & certain gardens don't work out. And mine is certainly showing brown spots/edges - here's hoping it doesn't succumb.
I had 9 triostars in my front yard subject to a lot of sun. Three of them turned completely brown and died off. I had read about cutting back (to the ground) three others and tried that. They have come back, with the leaves finally overshadowing the brown cut back stems. They have a little shade from a tree that finally grew in some over them. Then I had three more in partial shade, also pretty much burned up, and never got around to cutting them back. They have come back more or less, but messily. They are also in partial shade part of the day.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. Where did you get yours?
ReplyDeleteNo problem finding them down here; typically they can even be found in the big stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.)
Delete