Can you imagine if plants were similar to humans? Imagine a rose bush. One day, a yellow rose blossoms. A few days later, a pink rose blossoms. A couple of weeks later, several red roses bloom together.

Instead of each doing their own thing and seeking their own time in the spotlight, real rose bushes bloom all one color with all the flowers appearing at about the same time. It’s a magnificent sight, and we humans are thrilled when we see it.

However, those rose bushes don’t bloom at the same time as the lilies and the daffodils. Starting in the springtime each year, flowers start to bloom, with different plants blooming at different times each month. But how exactly do plants determine when to blossom?

This has been a mystery that has perplexed scientists for many years. As far back as the 1930s, scientists knew that plants somehow sensed the length of days to determine when springtime was approaching. Russian scientists suspected that a mysterious substance (a chemical they called “florigen”) was sent through the leaves to the tips of shoots to stimulate the formation of flower buds.

Today, scientists have conducted advanced studies that they believe might finally unravel how plants determine when to blossom. For instance, scientists now know that plants have an internal circadian clock that helps them determine when sunlight is increasing and days are getting longer. They believe this internal clock functions because of proteins that act as photoreceptors activated by sunlight.

Since different plants thrive at different times of the year due to their individualized needs for sunlight, precipitation, and other important factors, not all plants bloom on the first day of spring. Instead, they bloom at the times when they will have the best chance to survive and prosper.

When those photoreceptor proteins indicate to the plant that it’s time to blossom, the plant initiates a molecular process that will result in flowers blooming. Specifically, the plants start producing a protein called Flowering Locus T in their leaves. The protein then travels to the tips of shoots, where it undergoes molecular changes that stimulate cells to start forming flowers. Scientists now believe that Flowering Locus T is the elusive “florigen” that Russian scientists speculated about almost 100 years ago.

Why do scientists care so much about how plants determine when to blossom? It’s more than just intellectual curiosity. Some scientists think that understanding these mechanisms will enable them to control the timing of flowering in crops like rice, wheat, and barley.

For example, rice usually blooms late in the year. If scientists could manipulate the flowering process to create an early-flowering variety of rice, it could be possible in some areas to have more than one harvest per year. Other experts speculate that such manipulations could also lead to higher yields of plants grown for biofuels.

Give It a Try

We hope you enjoyed today’s flowery Wonder of the Day! Make sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:

Types of Plants That Never Bloom

While beautiful flowers are adored by everyone, it is interesting to note that there exist almost twelve varieties of non-flowering plants. To learn more about these fascinating plants that never bloom, take a look at our previous Wonder of the Day titled “Do All Plants Bloom?”.

Blooming Calendar: Discover When Your Favorite Flowers Blossom

Do you know when your favorite flowers bloom? Are you aware of which flowers to expect each month? Visit our Blooming Calendar online and grab a printable version to keep on your fridge. At the beginning of every month, browse through the list of flowers that you should anticipate seeing. If you’re unsure about their appearance, conduct some internet research to find pictures. Then, during that particular month, keep an eye out for those flowers. Enjoy the process and don’t forget to share your newfound knowledge with your loved ones!

Create Stunning Pressed Flower Bookmarks

If you’re up for a creative challenge, seek assistance from an adult friend or family member to make beautiful and unique pressed flower bookmarks! Start by exploring the outdoors to gather flowers for this project. You will also learn how to press flowers to preserve them. Finally, get crafty by transforming your pressed flowers into exquisite bookmarks that you can either keep or give away as thoughtful gifts. Let your imagination soar and have a blast!