FLOWERING STUDIES WITH AQUILEGIA CULTIVARS

Weddle's Songbird series of Aquilegia was used to study the effects of environmental and chemical factors on vegetative growth and flower development. High pressure sodium supplemental lighting shortened flower development time most between vernalization and visible bud, while a 15°C night/day regime hastened development most between visible bud and anthesis. The longer plants were in storage the quicker flowers developed, the smaller the plants and flowers, and the less effect either lighting or higher temperature had on development rate. Six weeks of cold storage was the least amount needed to assure 100% flowering. A daminozide spray was most effective in reducing plant height, but also reduced flower size and caused color fading as the flowers opened. Three proposed schedules for pot plant production are presented.