Photosynthetic plasticity of Phalaenopsis in response to different light environments

The ability of a plant to dynamically acclimate to different light environments is, in general, genetically determined. Phalaenopsis amabilis is a CAM orchid with heavy self-shading. The aim of this study was to find out how the photosynthetic capacity of its mature lower leaves acclimates to the low light environment, and whether it possessed a potential for reacclimation following transfer of lower leaves to higher irradiance. We found that the photosynthetic performance of the leaves of Phalaenopsis was flexibly and reversibly adjusted to growth irradiance, making it possible to improve the light environment of the plant by increasing light exposure of lower leaves and bring about a higher photosynthetic production. We have tested the effectiveness of a simple setup using mirrors to augment light from the side and thus enhanced the irradiance in the shaded area of the plant. Both photosynthesis and starch contents of leaves as well as the number of flowers per plant increased greatly.