Messing with nature - Firefly Petunia

[Roberta]

Early last summer, I acquired a rather unusual petunia plant. It looks pretty ordinary by day, but after dark it shows another side. It's transgenic, containing a gene from a bioluminescent mushroom. The glow is subtle, strongest in buds and newly-opening flowers. I finally managed to photograph it (6 minute exposure in a very dark room) The photo at first shows just the brightest parts - two flowers just opening, and a bud. But I increased the brightness in Photoshop (no other processing) and sooo much more detail appeared (though the brightening reduced the resolution of the brightest parts, made them a bit overexposed). So... here is the plant in daylight, the photo right out of the camera, and the same photo brightened to see what was REALLY there!. To get that last view with just eyes, neecessary to dark adapt for a bit.

[DaylightFirefly]

That is one cool plant! And it is really cool that you found a way to show luminescent effect via photo!

[Paphluvr]

Any idea about the backstory as to why this was done?

[Roberta]

Here's their website Glowing plants by Light Bio
Somebody had an idea... bioluminescence does fascinate... I got mine when they had an end-of-season deal with free shipping if one ordered 3, a friend wondered if I might want one of the 3. I figured, why not??

[estación seca]

Interesting. Petunias are tender perennials, though usually treated as annuals, and can be rooted from cuttings.

[Roberta]

I have brought it indoors, going to see if I can keep it going and propagate a few cuttings. I know that it likes bright light, I have an area in the house that faces south and gets very bright light for much of the day during the winter. (The orchid greenhouse is warm, but far too dim)

[estación seca]

It should tolerate your Winters outside in sun so long as it doesn't stay drenched with rain and doesn't freeze. People here are planting their annual Winter petunia and geranium beds.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It should tolerate your Winters outside in sun so long as it doesn't stay drenched with rain and doesn't freeze. People here are planting their annual Winter petunia and geranium beds.

Maybe... the plant is pretty scraggly-looking, though. It does appear to be starting some new growth at the base. So my inclination is to see if I can keep it going indoors. Give it the best chance, if it doesn't make it, well, it's an annual and I have had my fun.