I've noticed my Cabomba australis starts to close the upper fronds towards the end of the day and when I turn lights on in the morning they are open.
I've also noticed hat the pearling is greatest at the point where the Cabomba starts closing up.

Any thoughts?

Well yes I was wondering if you had been keeping up with TBR ? Tom posted a dandy on photoreceptors and their roles in plant physiology. RE: Barr Report Newsletter - Phytochrome, Photoreceptors and their Roles

Fascinating Stuff !

That is called Nyctinasty ( a rythmic diurnal movement).
Many plants do it, not just aquatics.
Flowers etc.

All sorts of parts, leaves etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Hmm shame I have'nt access to that

I have some Osteospermums in the garden which have a rythym similar which seems to be linked with temperature and daylight.

Regarding the Cabomba I would have thought that because you are providing artificial light you would affect the natural pattern, yet it seems not to be, as though the plant is driven by a preset routine which is unnafectable( is that a word? )

Indeed...W/ 9 years in college, and a library full of books on the subject much of the best information is just recently available. I mean to say you can't find this stuff in books. At the very least have the information spoon fed to you in a manner specifically regarding our aquatic plants and aquariums. The subscription cost is a pittance compared to the rest of the hobby.

There are lots of grand theories available on the internet and most of them are changing daily fortunately the membership here is pretty meat and potato logic without alot of ceremonious blathering.

As far as affecting environmental conditions we can really only do so much in contrast to genetic structure, and evolution. We only imagine ourselves to be in control. LOL. Grtz, Prof M

While Im not trying to avoid paying the subscription (I'm interested just not that much at the moment) I have noticed that the Cabomba Australis opens at 8 am and closes at 8 pm It would be interesting to know where they get their triggers from as they cannot see daylight and if its inbuilt then why do they open at 4 am australian time?

The local UKAPS as well as many Plant groups have no membership dues.

This is because of a suggestion that really hit home.
Sell your plants to pay for the resources you need.

So if we need funds for our local club, we sell them on line.
We really never sell to each other(Exchanges/swaps only), but most fish clubs love to buy plants.......ebay etc.

So right there, 1 hour's worth of work saved, or some plant sales can easily pay for most issues you might have.

I call this plant dollars or plant pounds or plant Yen etc.

Works well.

Simple.

Good business.

Helps the clubs.

As far as timing, the plants can tell when to close, based on what they are adapted to.
They also can turn towards the sun at sunset then during the night, even before there is any light, they will turn and face the sun.




Regards,
Tom Barr

"(I'm interested just not that much at the moment)" I'm Sorry...any way...you were saying ??? Prof M

Im saying I aint paying $50 to find out

I've seen folks spend 200$ and still don't know
I see folks routinely buy snake oils, try wonky water schemes, methods etc I know that do not work for more.

It's 12.95$, a tad less if you are in a plant club(both Greg and myself support and promote that)........... not 50$, who told you it was 50$?

and I ought to know..........

You do not get the same info here as you will in a written article.


Regards,
Tom Barr