Re: Why protect plants with green light?

Date: Mon Feb 27 13:54:21 2012
Posted By: Royce Moncur, Staff, General Science and Environment, Outside Input School Services
Area of science: Botany
ID: 1326945874.Bt

Message:

Gday Mark. First Aussie I've answered! I'm one too.

Without researching for the technical detail and using my own experience I'll attempt to answer this.

I have planted approximately 60,000 over the years with many protected by plastic tree guards.

Not all are green. I have clear or opaque guards as well as green. Therefore green is not necessary.

Here are my ideas on why green might be chosen:

Marketing... It's a 'green' product.
There may be some UV protection?
Recycled plastic may be more attractive if green.
Some plants may benefit from less direct sunlight in early growth. The intense heat of Summer may be too much through the hot house effect of clear material.
Aesthetics...several hundred plastic guards are not very attracte. Perhaps green lessens the impact.

And... I'm done. I too have wondered at the green colour and agree that green light is the colour that is reflected by plants hence their colour.

Good luck with your studies.

Cheers Royce

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