THE INFLUENCE OF DAYLENGTH ON FLOWERING OF CARNATIONS

In an experiment with carnations, various lighting treatments with the same number of lighting hours (196) were carried out. Rooted cuttings of the cvs 'White Sim' (standard carnation) and 'Silvery Pink' (spray carnation) were planted out on 17 October 1986 and pinched 3 weeks later.

Daylength treatments by means of lighting resulted in a strong flowering advancing effect. Flowering advancement was strongest with the treatment in which 12 h of cyclic lighting (10 minutes on and 20 minutes off) was carried out for 49 nights. A short nightbreak with continuous or cyclic lighting only slightly advanced flowering.