Articles
FORCING TRIALS OF LACHENALIA CULTIVARS IN MEDITERRANEAN AREA
Article number
1000_37
Pages
277 – 284
Language
English
Abstract
Lachenalia is a genus of 126 bulbous species flowering in winter and spring in the family Hyacinthaceae native to Namibia and South Africa.
In order to explore the suitability of growing the cultivars in the Mediterranean area with a possibility to extend the season and solve cultivation problems, Ronina, Romaud, and Rupert were tested in the Italian Riviera.
The bulbs were harvested in October 2008 and dry bulbs were prepared for forcing in South Africa before being transferred to Italy.
Preparation of bulbs consisted of a 2 week storage at 25°C to facilitate flower initiation prior to planting, and then storage at 9°C for different duration for flower development.
Two trials were conducted outdoor: during spring 2009 (spring forcing) and from autumn 2009 to spring 2010 (autumn forcing). For the spring forcing trial, bulbs were planted on 12 April, in open air or under a black shading net (58% of natural PFD). In the second trial bulbs were prepared in order to facilitate 5 different planting dates from 22 October to 8 February; all plants were established under shading net.
During the spring forcing 4.2 to 43.7% of bulbs died as compared to 0 to 24.2% during autumn forcing, possibly due to unsuitable high temperatures.
Anthesis was earlier under shading than in open air.
In the spring trial, flowering occurred at the beginning of June.
Inflorescence length was 30-50% shorter in open air than under shade.
In the autumn trial, days to flowering (DTF) of Rupert ranged from 140 days (8 March) for the earliest planting date to 77 days for the latest one.
Inflorescence height ranged in Rupert from 20.1 to 29.8 cm depending on planting date.
The possibility to obtain good quality plants in winter under Mediterranean conditions for the spring market was discussed.
In order to explore the suitability of growing the cultivars in the Mediterranean area with a possibility to extend the season and solve cultivation problems, Ronina, Romaud, and Rupert were tested in the Italian Riviera.
The bulbs were harvested in October 2008 and dry bulbs were prepared for forcing in South Africa before being transferred to Italy.
Preparation of bulbs consisted of a 2 week storage at 25°C to facilitate flower initiation prior to planting, and then storage at 9°C for different duration for flower development.
Two trials were conducted outdoor: during spring 2009 (spring forcing) and from autumn 2009 to spring 2010 (autumn forcing). For the spring forcing trial, bulbs were planted on 12 April, in open air or under a black shading net (58% of natural PFD). In the second trial bulbs were prepared in order to facilitate 5 different planting dates from 22 October to 8 February; all plants were established under shading net.
During the spring forcing 4.2 to 43.7% of bulbs died as compared to 0 to 24.2% during autumn forcing, possibly due to unsuitable high temperatures.
Anthesis was earlier under shading than in open air.
In the spring trial, flowering occurred at the beginning of June.
Inflorescence length was 30-50% shorter in open air than under shade.
In the autumn trial, days to flowering (DTF) of Rupert ranged from 140 days (8 March) for the earliest planting date to 77 days for the latest one.
Inflorescence height ranged in Rupert from 20.1 to 29.8 cm depending on planting date.
The possibility to obtain good quality plants in winter under Mediterranean conditions for the spring market was discussed.
Authors
B. Ruffoni, C. Cervelli, R. Kleynhans, F.L. Hancke
Keywords
bulb preparation, flowering, inflorescence, scheduling, pot cultivation
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