OOOHHH Glow in the Dark Orchids!

[orchideric]

Glow in the dark plants has been done in various groups of plants (originally tobacco I think). You transfer the gene and then spray the plant with a chemical which turns on the gene. Sounds great but the glow is the plant metabolizing itself. It literally burns itself out after a day or so. So fun, but not for Walmart.
Eric

[Aimoe]

I am new at this forum, but I have seen glow in the dark orchids being grown at the rare plant conservatory in University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.

I believe it is a naturally occuring phenomenon. Will try and get pictures. Kinda difficult because they are fiercely protective of their collection...

Their link is Conservatory

[Tindomul]

Wow, welcome to the Orchid Board!! Would love to hear more about this. What do you mean it is naturally occurring?

[priz_m]

But can you really get these? I mean, are they for sale?

I must get one....

[kavanaru]

so far I know all plants with "glow in the dark effect" are genetically modified... only some fungi and algae has the compounds that glow in the dark... well, of course many plants produce phenolic compounds which are fluorescent under UV light, but that's not what I would called a glow in the dark... in many countries they are strictly regulated and can be kept only under laboratory environments...

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

so far I know all plants with "glow in the dark effect" are genetically modified... only some fungi and algae has the compounds that glow in the dark... well, of course many plants produce phenolic compounds which are fluorescent under UV light, but that's not what I would called a glow in the dark... in many countries they are strictly regulated and can be kept only under laboratory environments...

That's also what I was thinking. There is no natural glow in the dark gene in orchids, or in any plants as far as I know. They are all GMOs. Like Ramon, I have also heard of certain plant compounds that are fluorescent under UV light. One I know of is avenacin, a fungitoxic molecule, which is found primarily in oat roots and is autofluorescent.

[kavanaru]

...or almost all alkaloids and phenols

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

...or almost all alkaloids and phenols

Those too or course! Avenacin came to mind first since my lab practicals last week were on it. We were testing different fungus strains on oat roots.

I still would love to get my hands on a GM glow in the dark orchid.... Talk about a freaky plant!

[Des]

Fascinating reading,and as a novelty item would be really nice to have .
20 years ago when I told my kids that tv sets would one day hang on the wall like a picture, they said Dad you are watching too much Startrek!!
So tell me ,what are you guys telling your kids about future technology ?

[Aceetobe]

How about a knockin in the harlequin phals of dsRed or mCherry on the promoter that the splotches are on?

I think I could retire after that.

My guess is that the Harlequins are a result of a fairly aggressive transposon.