The science behind why your plants turn purple?

**1982grower** · 03-04-2009, 06:12 AM

its both pigment and temp. i just read that when you lower the temp for a couple days the plant can't photosynthize because of the low temp it thinks it should stop producing chloraphil(the green) after the green fades the glucose sugar that is left tends to be purple in most plants. If your plant doesn't have many pollutants in it it could turn bright purple. pollutants include city rain, other dust particles grown into the plant. i think this sounds logical

**1982grower** · 03-04-2009, 06:12 AM

Also could turn red or brown blue

**chuckles420king** · 07-16-2009, 09:18 AM

During flowering, with the passing of summer, days become shorter. The phytochromes, the light-sensing mechanisms in leaves, recognize the shorter day lengths. The shorter days and lower temperatures arrest chlorophyll production. Chlorophyll breaks down faster than it is replaced, allowing the yellow and orange pigments to be unmasked.

The molecules reflecting red wavelengths, anthocyanins, are water-soluble pigments that occur in the cell sap, creating the red, pink, and purple hues. These pigments may not be present during the summer, or vegetative cycle, but their formation is encouraged during a succession of cool nights and sunny days. During these days when photosynthesis and chlorophyll production are decreasing, an abundance of sugars accumulates in the leaf. The cool nights promote a separation layer of cells in the petiole—where the leaf attaches to the stem—that prevents sugar from flowing out of the leaf, and also arrests the flow of nutrients into the leaf. The formation of anthocyanin requires bright light, a diminishing water supply, and the accumulation of sugars trapped in the leaf.

Another factor that can cause purpling is nutrient deficiency, generally phosphorus. Although these stunted plants may bedazzle the novice, they are typically quite distinguishable from naturally occurring anthocyanin expression, due to the other visible adverse side effects of nutrient deficiency, such as leaf and bud malformation and low calyx-to-leaf ratios.

**chuckles420king** · 07-16-2009, 09:20 AM

Several pigments are responsible for color in plants: chlorophyll, carotene, xanthophyll, and anthocyanins. Chlorophyll is the pigment in chloroplasts of plants that reflects green light. Plants use the energy absorbed by chlorophyll in photosynthesis to produce food for their growth and development. It is continually broken down during photosynthesis and being replenished by the plant.
light absorbed
chlorophill=green
carotene, xanophyll=yellow orange
anthocyanins= red

**Troyboy** · 08-03-2009, 06:51 AM

the sun(light source) causes red pigments to form in all kinds of plants....picture an apple with red side and a yellow-green side...we've all seen it

**Mr.mojorisin** · 10-04-2009, 12:41 PM

i got some maui wowie going on right now and due to the weather i have a beautiful thick buds but they are turning purple
dude i sell to a bunch of kids who think the cannabis went through this amazing treatment to get this way and it is a killer high. truth is your plant is turning cold cuz of the weather just put a small heater in your grow room at night
at this time of year u should be really thinking about getting a greenhouse goin on

**Mr.mojorisin** · 10-04-2009, 12:42 PM

sorry if my reply didnt make sense just got lit

**91teggs** · 10-04-2009, 01:02 PM

Honestly are u guys serious when i harvest my kc 36 i can make it have purple if i put the damn thing in the fridge over night?? i dont want my plant fuckin up so are u guys SERIOUS i wanna give it the most bud appeal as possible...

**Double0verhead** · 10-17-2009, 08:14 PM

yeah do it it works, then when your done tell me if it works

**cell1988** · 10-17-2009, 08:32 PM

if you over fertilize sometimes that will make your plants purple, same thing if you under fertilize. it depends on the plant. but mostly temperature is what turns the plant purple.. its the plant protecting itself from the cold. i wont lie, i dont know exactly what chemical process is taking place, but i know that those things can cause purple for sure. if your plant looks really healthy than its the cold.