PLANT SIZE AT FLOWER INDUCTION AFFECTS FLOWERING OF PHALAENOPSIS ORCHIDS
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different plant sizes at the phase of flower induction on flowering time and inflorescence characteristics in 3 Phalaenopsis hybrids, 'Sogo Yukidian' (large flower), 'Chain Xen Diamond' (medium flower) and 'Pinlong Cheris' (small flower), grown in pots in a heated glasshouse.
The following treatments were compared: the optimal size, corresponding to 5 leaves plant-1 in the large and small hybrids and 7 leaves plant-1 in the medium one; and a sub-optimal size, corresponding to 2 leaves less than the optimal one (3 and 5 leaves plant-1, respectively). Thermal treatment for flower induction was performed by moving plants from the compartment for vegetative growth (28/26°C, day/night) to cooler temperatures (21/19°C) for 8 weeks.
In all the hybrids, premature exposure to inductive treatment delayed the beginning of flowering and significantly reduced the inflorescence quality parameters, with different effects in the different hybrids.
These results confirmed that a critical size is required to optimize flowering performance of Phalaenopsis, however, from a commercial point of view, the convenience of early flowering and energy savings achievable by shortening the vegetative phase, could, in some situations, outweigh the benefits of producing higher quality Phalaenopsis.
Paradiso, R. and De Pascale, S. (2014). PLANT SIZE AT FLOWER INDUCTION AFFECTS FLOWERING OF PHALAENOPSIS ORCHIDS. Acta Hortic. 1037, 1139-1144
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1037.152
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1037.152
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1037.152
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1037.152
potted plant, competence, cut flower
English
1037_152
1139-1144