[Aroid-l] Infra red cameras/bloom openings

From: ju-bo at msn.com (ju-bo at msn.com) on 2008.05.26 at 15:16:05(17628) ---------------------------------------- > Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 21:55:14 +0100 > From: Chris.Rennie at blueyonder.co.uk > To: aroid-l at gizmoworks.com; Steve at ExoticRainforest.com; doji at hawaii.rr.com > Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Infra red cameras Dear Chris, Allow me to ''jump into'' this discussion here. Unfortunately there is no easy way to know on which given day a Philodendron bloom might open! My experience (and that of people even more experienced growers/breeders than I am) is that only observation and experience can point you in the right direction! I see that you live in the U.K. so must ask how many developing inflorescences are being produced by the plant in question? Usually, at least in tropical areas OR under optimal greenhouse conditions a few blooms in sequence would be considered ''normal'' for say an adult Philodendron bipinnatifidum ("selloum""), which would allow you to closely observe the development and opening of the first, and then you would be able to make a pretty close ''guesstimate'' on when the second, third, etc. may open based on the notes you took on the first. Just a note, here in Florida and Hawaii a bloom may ''sulk'' for a day or two longer that you THINK it should, this may be caused by a change in temperature, rain, etc. Concerning pollinating insects, it has been determined that certain scrab beetles under natural conditions and in the natural range of this plant are the primary pollinators. It has been recorded that other beetles and even bees, flies, ants, etc. may be attracted to the blooms, but they can not and do not pollinate them. I wish that there were better indicators of exactly when a bloom is about to open, but if in fact there are, I am not aware of them! Good Luck, and keep us informed on your findings! Julius +More > Hi Gary, Steve. > > My suspicion's raised when the spadix takes ~8 hours or so to move into > a position (which appears to be the focal point of the spathe) and > *only* then heats up. > The interior of the spathe is also coloured white, better to reflect > than the green outside of it? > > The thermal imaging camera I'm now thinking of hiring produces real time > images. So it should be easy to move around and see whether the spathe > appears brilliantly illuminated from the front. > I also want to do another timelapse, but in infra red. I want to see > what the whole things looks like as it lights up. > > Thanks very much for the link. That hack certainly looks interesting. > The way I'm now thinking is that I should 'bite the bullet' be done with > it and hire a thermal imaging system for three days. > Assuming, my other avenues of enquiry prove fruitless. Best quote I've > got so far is ?250 which isn't too awful (relatively speaking) > > Couple of questions: > > Is it possible that there may be other pollinator insects for this plant? > Are there any methods of predicting the flower is going to open the day > before it does? (hire company needs advance notice of a day) > > Steve, I remember you saying it slightly opens up beforehand, but are > there any other indicators I could look for as well? > (it would be a real pain to hire the camera and then nothing happens!) > > Regards, > > ChrisR > > ExoticRainforest wrote: > > I know of no inexpensive way to do this so your suggestion is > > certainly valid. As for the parabolic reflector, I find that > > extremely interesting. I'm now certain infrared plays some role. It > > is simply up to the scientists to verify what that role may be since > > the actual insects involved will need to be tested. I had only > > considered the possiblity the insect could "see" the spadix but the > > idea of their seeing the entire spathe is even more interesting. > > > > Steve > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > *From:* Gary > > *To:* Chris.Rennie at blueyonder.co.uk > > ; Steve Lucas > > > > *Sent:* Sunday, May 25, 2008 2:51 PM > > *Subject:* Infra red cameras > > > > Hi Chris and Steve, > > > > Below is a link to a simple method of hacking an inexpensive video > > camera (or a still camera) that would allow at least a cursory > > record of the Aroid's heat emission. Steve, as a professional > > photographer can correct me if this would not work or a better > > method at a reasonable price would be better. > > > > I think that Chris has hit upon something with his observation > > that the spathe acts as a parabolic reflector. If, in fact, the > > hacked camera would work, I can think of some test setups that > > would be illuminating as well. > > > > I liked this one because of the chart of brand name cameras he > > lists and the procedure to hack them. The author is in > > Nottingham. There is also a link at the bottom of the page to > > macro photography with a cheap hacked camera that is worth looking > > at. > > > > http://www.hoagieshouse.com/IR/ > > > > Also try: Goggling: hack a video camera to infrared > > > > Good luck and I hope this proves to be helpful. > > > > Gary Meltzer in Hilo, Hawaii > > doji at hawaii.rr.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > Aroid-L mailing list > Aroid-L at www.gizmoworks.com > http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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