UV - What I can not see !

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

LIGHT - The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum ranges from low frequency, low energy radio waves to high frequency, high energy gamma rays. The human eye however, only perceives visible light.  This lies in a narrow range from around 380 nm to 780 nm of the spectrum. Interestingly enough, this visible light is continuous!  In other words, it has no clear boundaries between one color and the next. 

Humans

We see in natural white light but only a small part of its spectrum wavelengths. Specifically between violet and red.  

Insects

 Insects on the other hand see some colors but more importantly - they can also see objects in ultraviolet light – something we can't. 

Sample picture of a flower as humans and insects see it.

Notice the white band surrounding the center and focusing direction.

 

Pollination and evolution

So of course..... evolution sets in motion and flowers which get pollinated by insects go on the UV rampage ! We  see the flower below as yellow – but check out how a bee sees it ! These plants produce patterns or distinct areas in their flowers that can only be seen in UV. Why? - Well to help guide the insect of course - like landing lights on a runway or a bulls eye on a dart game.  

The UV area (stripes) is a way of directing and insect to land in a specific spot or area.

The spot with the pollen of course!

And some when seen under UV light – have a fluorescent sparkly GLOW!

 

Research

Much of the research is currently being done at Imperial College London, and Queen Mary University in London.  They have created a database you can check out if you like.Ctrl / click Floral Reflectance Database (FReD) 

Pictures

You can also go to a fantastic website with lots of pictures created by world renown UV photographer Bjorn Rorslett !

Flowers in Ultraviolet - Arranged by Plant Family - http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_flowers_list.html

  

Or you could buy a camera and see the world that way !

If you wants lots of flowers (UV or not) in your garden

call Plant Specialists today !

  

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

   Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK  

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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