Conditions in Ecuador where the original plant was discovered are very different from those when you move away from the equator.

There, light intensity is much higher, the days are hotter and the nights are colder, and there are no seasonal variations.

Upon bringing the plants to Europe, René noticed a number of changes such as the colour of the flowers (much bluer) and less of a tendency to produce the reblooming stems.

It seems that the appearance of the flowers is heavily influenced by the conditions at the time of flower induction – about 8 weeks before blooming.

In northern Europe, the first flush of flowers will be darker than those that begin in mid summer, when longer days produce a similar total of light as the plants would receive in Ecuador, resulting in paler, greener flowers.

Conversely, René has also observed that flowers produced further inside the plants where they receive less light tend to be greener.

Yes, this goes against the increased sunlight theory, and René also has no explanation, except for “It’s one of the mysteries of Mother Nature”.

But he’s also very curious to get to the bottom of all this, and any feedback from PlantSpotters gardeners who grow ‘Starmaker’ will be very appreciated.

These images demonstrate the two extremes of 'Starmaker's colour possibilities.