Variegated copiapoa

[greatnorthernexotic]

Picked this little copiapoa hypogea last year from Southfields. As you can see, in just over a year it has become markedly more variegated. Or has it? Can anyone explain the dramatic change in colour? Why has it become more yellow than it was previously? There is very little green and it's on its own roots so I'm amazed how well it's doing for me.

[Tina]

Hi
Can't explain it but love the colouring.
I have a variegated gymnocalycium where the yellow grows at a faster rate, could it be some chimera properties

[el48tel]

As long as some of it is GREEN it means that it has some chlorophylls in the body. The mutant/variegated yellow bit has no chlorophylls (yes there's more than one type of chlorophyll). The yellow is a mixture of other pigments including xanthophylls, carotenoids and flavenoids, which are red-orange-yellow colours. Chlorophylls are required for carbon dioxide fixation and plant growth. You could graft it onto a suitable stock if it becomes all yellow.

[ianstrutt]

Hi
Can't explain it but love the colouring.
I have a variegated gymnocalycium where the yellow grows at a faster rate, could it be some chimera properties

I have a small soehrensia that's partially variegated. The yellow seems to grow a bit quicker that the green for me as well.