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Experiments with' White Christmas' and `Carolyn Wharton' caladiums (Caladium × hortulanum Birdsey), croton (Codiaeum variegatum), brassaia (Brassaia actinophylla Endl.), `Annette Hegg Dark Red' poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Wind.), and `Super Elfin Red' and `Show Stopper' impatiens [Impatiens wallerana (L.) Hook.f.] determined effectiveness of paclobutrazol in solid spike form as compared to media drench applications for height control. Paclobutrazol drenches and spikes were effective for all crops tested, with a similar concentration response for all, except that drenches had greater efficacy than spikes on caladium. A reduced effect was observed when spikes were placed on the medium surface of `Super Elfin Red' impatiens, while placement in the middle of the pot or around the side was equally effective. These results indicate that the spike formulation of paclobutrazol has potential to provide adequate size control for floriculture crops with the possible exception of rapidly developing crops, such as caladiums. Chemical name used: (2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-) penten-3-ol (paclobutrazol).

Trees were grown for 2 years as a function of three container volumes (10, 27, and 57 liter) the first year and six shifting treatments (10 liter both years, 10 to 27 liter, 10 to 57 liter, 27 liter both years, 27 to 57 liter, or 57 liter both years) the second year when containers were spaced 120 cm on center, Height and caliper were greatest for magnolias grown in 27- or 57-liter containers both years. Caliper was greater for trees shifted from 10-liter containers to the larger container volumes compared to trees grown in 10-liter containers both years, Trees grown in 10-liter containers both years tended to have few roots growing in the outer 4 cm at the eastern, southern, and western exposures in the grow medium, During the second year, high air and growth medium temperatures may have been primary limiting factors to carbon assimilation during June and August. Using large container volumes to increase carbon assimilation and tree growth may be even more important when daily maximum air temperatures are lower during late spring or early fall compared to midsummer.

Paclobutrazol drench treatments were evaluated for efficacy on Caladium ×hortulanum (Birdsey) cultivars Aaron, White Christmas, and Carolyn Wharton. Drenches at 2.0 mg/pot did not reduce height of `Aaron' and `White Christmas' plants when applied 1 week after planting, but 2.0 mg applied at 3 weeks after planting did result in shorter plants. The difference for time of application may be due to the amount of roots present to take up paclobutrazol when applied. In two factorial experiments, there were no interactions between cultivar and time of application or amount of chemical. Paclobutrazol at 0.5 mg/pot resulted in plants that were shorter than the controls. Higher amounts of paclobutrazol provided additional reductions in height, but there was variation between the experiments for degree of effect with amounts >1 mg. Generally, commercially acceptable height control was provided by paclobutrazol drench treatments at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/pot applied 3 weeks after planting. Chemical names used: (2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-pentan-3-ol (paclobutrazol).

Research was conducted to investigate the relationship between flower respiration and flower longevity as well as to assess the possibility of using miniature rose (Rosa hybrida L.) flower respiration as an indicator of potential flower longevity. Using several miniature rose cultivars as a source of variation, four experiments were conducted throughout the year to study flower respiration and flower longevity under interior conditions. For plants under greenhouse as well as interior conditions, flower respiration was assessed on one flower per plant, from end-of-production (sepals beginning to separate) up to 8 days after anthesis. Interior conditions were 21 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity with a 12-hour photoperiod of 12 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 (photosynthetically active radiation). Flower respiration was higher if the plants were produced during spring/summer as compared to fall/winter. `Meidanclar', `Schobitet', and `Meilarco' miniature roses had higher flower respiration rates than `Meijikatar' and `Meirutral'. These two cultivars with the lowest respiration rates showed much greater flower longevity if grown during spring/summer as compared to fall/winter. The three cultivars with the higher respiration rates did not show differences in flower longevity between seasons. For plants under greenhouse or interior conditions, flower respiration was negatively correlated with longevity in spring/summer but a positive correlation between these parameters was found in fall/winter. During spring/summer, flower respiration rate appears to be a good indicator of potential metabolic rate, and flowers with low respiration rates last longer.

The effect of two temperature regimes (29 °C day/24 °C night and 24 °C day/18 °C night) and of a 4-hour night interruption, during production, was studied on postproduction flower longevity and bud drop of 'Meirutral' and 'Meidanclar' potted, miniature roses (Rosa L. sp.). High production temperatures increased postproduction flower longevity and decreased postproduction bud drop. In 'Meidanclar', the high production temperature increased incidence of malformed flowers. No effects of night interruption could be shown on either postproduction flower longevity or bud drop.

Dormant-budded `Gloria' azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) at various maturity levels (one, eight, or 32 individual open flowers) were moved from the greenhouse to postproduction rooms. Postproduction rooms were maintained at 21 ± 1C, relative humidity 50% ± 5%, and 12 hours of daily irradiance at 12 μmol·s^–1·m^–2 from cool-white fluorescent lamps to simulate home conditions. Using predetermined categories, the number of tight, showing-color, candle, and open-flower inflorescences were recorded. After 2 weeks postproduction, plants chosen at the start of postproduction with eight or 32 individual open flowers had the best flowering uniformity and flower color. In a second experiment, azaleas with one, eight, or 32 individual open flowers were placed into simulated transport for 4 days at 16 ± 1C. Plants with one individual open flower had greatest longevity, but those with eight open flowers had the best overall postproduction performance. In a final experiment, azaleas at similar maturity levels were placed in simulated transport at 5, 16, or 27C for 2, 4, or 6 days. After 2 weeks postprodudion, there was no difference due to simulated-transport temperature or duration on flowering performance or flower color. Longevity was good for plants held 2, 4, or 6 days at 5C and for plants held for 2 days at 16 or 27C.

To evaluate importance of paclobutrazol residues on surfaces, begonia (Begonia semperflorens) cv. Whisky and chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) cv. Coral Davis plants were grown in flats sprayed with paclobutrazol at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm.

For begonia, the plant heights at 2 and 4 weeks after treatments were decreased by 39 to 49% and by 55-69%, respectively. The overall change in height ranged from 2.1 to 4.9 cm compared to 15.3 cm for the control plants.

For chrysanthemum, a reduction in plant height was observed and the overall change in height ranged from 2.9 to 5.6 cm compared to 28.8 cm for the control plants.

Based on these results, there is a potential for paclobutrazol to affect non-target plants when subirrigation is used.

Five cultivars of potted miniature roses (`Candy Sunblaze', `Lady Sunblaze', `Orange Sunblaze', `Red Sunblaze' and `Royal Sunblaze') were grown until stage 1 (bud showing color with sepals starting to unfold). At this stage one half of the plants were moved to interior conditions (12 μmol s<sup>-1</sup> m<sup>-2</sup> from cool white fluorescent lights for 12 hr daily and 21 ± 1C) and the other half were maintained in the greenhouse at recommended production conditions. Stage 1 bud respiration, flower respiration at flowering and at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after flowering were assessed for plants in the greenhouse and under interior conditions. Also, flower interior longevity was assessed for all the cultivars and the correlations between flower longevity and flower respiration at the different stages were analyzed. At flowering and under interior conditions `Red Sunblaze' lasted the longest (23 days) followed by `Orange Sunblaze' (18 days), `Lady Sunblaze' and `Candy Sunblaze' (16 days), and `Royal Sunblaze' (13 days) and flower respiration was 2.08, 2.74, 3.91, 3.59 and 3.94 mg CO₂ g^-1 hr^-1, respectively. In miniature rose, flower longevity was negatively correlated with flower respiration rate (P = 0.01).

Paclobutrazol was applied as soil drench to potted petunia, and the treated plants were shorter than untreated ones. Three types of compost were then made from the treated and untreated plants: the shoots, the medium (including roots), and both shoots and medium. They were mixed with Vergro Klay Mix at the ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% (v/v). In a factorial experiment, plugs of Begonia semperflorens cv. Gin were planted in the media with compost. Plants grown in media containing paclobutrazol residue were shorter and had less dry weight compared to those grown in media containing no paclobutrazol residue. Compost ratios at 5% and 40% reduced plant height to 65% and 42% and shoot dry weight to 55% and 20% of the control plants, respectively. These results indicate that residues from plants treated with paclobutrazol may carry over in soil of landscape beds and affect the growth of subsequent crops grown in that soil.