Consumers in the United States can now pre-order a genetically engineered plant for their home or garden that glows continuously. At a base cost of US$29.00, residents of the 48 contiguous states can get a petunia (Petunia hybrida) with flowers that look white during the day; but, in the dark, the plant glows a faint green. Biotechnology firm Light Bio in Sun Valley, Idaho, will begin shipping a batch of 50,000 firefly petunias in April.
Engineered petunia emits a continuous green glow thanks to genes from a light-up mushroom.
Yeah, shipping plants is a pain in the ass. I’ve also done snails.
Shipping a live thing has so many variables. Current climate on both ends? And in between? Need to include a heat pack or cooler pack? Shit’s going to die sometimes, gotta bake in refunds.
$24 is actually reasonable. Hell, I spend that to send computers around the US. $20-$30, here to anywhere.
But a TCO of $50+ is a bit much to satisfy my curiosity. Maybe they’ll come to local places soon.