What is the reason for succulents having color?

"The colors of succulents are vibrant and dazzling, so do you know where the colors of succulents come from?"

The colorful hues of succulents are formed by anthocyanins in the vacuoles of their cells, and anthocyanins can be converted from chlorophyll.

1. Unsuitable environments promote the formation and accumulation of anthocyanins.

The temperature, light and humidity at home keep the growing environment of succulents fairly stable; in such an environment, photosynthesis is vigorous and the proportion of chlorophyll is high, so succulents tend to appear green.

In a greenhouse, however, the temperature difference between day and night is large, the light intensity is many times that at home, and the humidity is also high; in this environment, chlorophyll is converted into anthocyanins, and the succulents display vibrant, colorful hues.

2. Why is the light intensity in a greenhouse many times that at home?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays, visible light and infrared rays, and when they pass through covering materials such as plastic film, they are reduced by reflection and absorption; therefore, the proportion of broad-spectrum light transmission at different wavelengths through a covering material is one of the important factors determining the performance of various covering materials.

Ultraviolet rays help with the morphogenesis of succulents and the formation of anthocyanins, and can also inhibit leggy growth in succulents and the growth of some pathogenic bacteria.

Glass can filter out low-band ultraviolet rays, and ultraviolet rays are an important factor in promoting the formation of anthocyanins. Ordinary glass has a visible light transmittance of about 90%, which is suitable for photosynthesis (the effective wavelength range for photosynthesis is visible light), allowing chlorophyll to account for a higher proportion.

So this is why a glass house, or balcony glass, although facing south, generally has mediocre light transmission. The covering material of a greenhouse, however, is plastic film, which has good flexibility, transparency, heat preservation and anti-fog droplet effects, and high permeability to ultraviolet rays, so the proportion of anthocyanins is high and the succulents are brightly and beautifully colored.

3. How can you keep succulents in good shape and color?

Open the windows for ventilation; lower the nighttime temperature to increase the temperature difference; control water appropriately; increase the proportion of grit in the soil. As long as you pay attention to the above points, the succulents at home will also be just as plump and beautiful in color.