This is fascinating, as it would make Orchids completely different
from every other plant grown commercially.
All studies I have ever read show that CO2 is rate limiting for
Photosynthesis and if you increase the CO2 you can increase the rate
or photosynthesis and the growth of the plants. Even aquarium
enthusiasts use supplemental CO2 to stimulate their plant growth.
I will admit I have not read much in this area in the last 20 years,
and I really don't care, if CO2 increases the growth of my plants,
then I am happy. It will not cost me much money and just a little
time to see what happens.
Tom Hillson
On Nov 16, 2006, at 6:24 PM, Andrew Easton wrote:
I'm afraid this discussion has not really addressed any substantive
issues. To get benefit from adding CO2, you would have to be
measuring the concentration in the growing area at the critical
time of day (or night) and be able to show that either it dropped
to a level which was rate limiting for photosynthesis or that
increased levels produced some measurable improvement in some
useful physiological process.
The Dutch researchers, always searching for a competive edge, have
looked at CO2 addition and found no benefits and indeed never were
greenhouse levels low enough to limit photosynthesis. Published?
Probably not but widely circulated in grower newsletters.
We used to believe that adding CO2 to the air conditioned houses
used to initiate Phalaenopsis flowers in Florida was useful. Some
scientists even explained that the higher CO2 levels were reducing
respiration in the heat of the afternoon and thereby assisting
growth indirectly by this reduction. I was sceptical and we ceased
use of CO2, saving many thousands of dollars over a summer-fall
period and there was absolutely no change in the speed of
initiation or the number of spikes initiated per plant.
Andy Easton
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the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD)
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_______________________________________________
the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD)
orchids@orchidguide.com
http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
