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- Author or Editor: Joanne Lichty x
- HortScience x
Photoselective shadecloths that manipulate light quality may enable nursery growers to achieve desired plant growth. This ability to manage plant habit could give growers an additional nonchemical tool to improve potted plant quality. The objective of this study was to determine growth and flowering responses of potted Dracaena and Anthurium plants to four shadecloths. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig' and Dracaena marginata `Colorama' cane top-cuttings were placed in 70% black cinder: 30% peat moss media. Anthurium `Lola' liners were transplanted into 100% black cinder medium. Plants were grown in a greenhouse under 70% shadecloths: black, gray, red, and blue. Four months after planting, Dracaena `Janet Craig' had more new leaves under red shadecloth (10.4) compared to other shadecloths (8.9–9.3). Leaf area was less with red shadecloth (340 cm2) than other treatments (380-388 cm2). Plants under the red shadecloth had the lowest grower evaluation scores (5.4; 1 = poor, 10 = excellent) than those under other shadecloths (7.2–8.2), but all plants were considered marketable. Dracaena `Colorama' plants under red shadecloth had the greater plant height increase (20.1 cm) than those under other shadecloths (10.1–13.2 cm). Red shadecloth resulted in more new leaves (26.2) compared to other treatments (18.0–21.4). Anthurium `Lola' flower height 9 months after transplanting was less under red shadecloth (23.0 cm) than under black (33.0 cm). The number of flowers/pot was greater under red shadecloth (3.17) compared to those under other shadecloths (0.50–1.33). Flower size was greater (35.2 cm2) under red shadecloth than under black (20.0 cm2). Photoselective shadecloths may be used to nonchemically manipulate plant growth and improve the quality of potted Dracaena and Anthurium plants.