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- Author or Editor: Yin-Tung Wang* x
On 6 Sept. 1996, container-grown vegetatively propagated Phalaenopsis Atien Kaala `TSC22' plants were harvested and individually weighed. The bare-root plants were packed in cartons with shredded newspaper and placed in incubators at 15, 20, 25, or 30°C air temperature. Control plants were undisturbed. After 4, 7, or 14 days, one-third of the plants were removed from each temperature treatment, weighed, planted in pots, and then placed in a greenhouse. Mass loss (primarily water) increased with increasing air temperature and duration in storage. Symptoms of chilling injury (yellow blotches on leaves) were inversely related to 15 and 20°C storage temperatures. Chilling injury became more severe as storage duration increased. Plants had little or no chilling injury at 25 and 30°C, regardless of storage duration. Leaf loss was most severe on plants stored at 15°C for 7 or 14 days or at 30°C for 14 days. Increased storage duration up to 14 days did not affect the time of spiking (appearance of the flowering shoot) for plants stored between 15 and 25°C. Those kept at 30°C, regardless of the duration, spiked 5 to 8 days after the control. The results suggest that vegetative Phalaenopsis plants harvested in late summer should be stored and shipped at 25°C. Under such conditions, plants could lose 20% of the fresh mass between harvesting and planting without adversely affecting subsequent performance.
Bare-root, vegetatively propagated plants (average 15-cm leaf spread) of a white-flowered Phalaenopsis Taisuco Kochdian clone were imported in late May and planted either in a mix consisting of three parts medium-grade douglas fir bark and one part each of perlite and coarse canadian sphagnum peat (by volume) or in chilean sphagnum moss. All plants were given 200 mg·L−1 each of nitrogen and phosphorus, 100 mg·L−1 calcium, and 50 mg·L−1 magnesium at each irrigation with 0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 mg·L−1 potassium (K). After 8 months, K concentration did not alter the number of new leaves on plants in either medium. Plants grown in moss produced four to five leaves, whereas those planted in the bark mix produced only two to three leaves. K concentration did not affect the length of the uppermost mature leaves when grown in the bark mix. However, in moss, plants had increasingly longer and wider top leaves as K concentration increased. The lower leaves on plants in the bark mix lacking or receiving 50 mg·L−1 K showed symptoms of yellowing, irregular purple spots, and necrosis after spiking and flowering, respectively. Yellowing and necrosis started from the leaf tip or margin and progressed basipetally. Symptoms became more severe during flower stem development and flowering. All of the plants lacking K were dead by the end of flowering. Leaf death originated from the lowest leaf and advanced to the upper leaves. K at 50 mg·L−1 greatly reduced and 100 mg·L−1 completely alleviated the symptoms of K deficiency at the time of flowering. However, by the end of flowering, plants receiving 50 or 100 mg·L−1 K had yellowing on one or two lower leaves. Plants grown in moss and lacking K showed limited signs of K deficiency. All plants in the bark mix bloomed, whereas none in sphagnum moss receiving 0 mg·L−1 K produced flowers. For both media, as K concentration increased, flower count and diameter increased. Flower stems on plants in either medium became longer and thicker with increasing K concentration. To obtain top-quality Phalaenopsis with the greatest leaf length, highest flower count, largest flowers, and longest inflorescences, it is recommended that 300 mg·L−1 K be applied under high N and high P conditions regardless of the medium.
This is the first report on how leaf harvest techniques and sulfur may affect leaf initiation and yield of Aloe barbadensis Miller (syn. Aloe vera L.). Two long-term experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplemental mineral nutrients, severity of harvest, and sulfur application on leaf yield of this species. Plants were each grown in a 38-L pot with or without monthly applications of a 20N–8.6P–16.6K water-soluble fertilizer. In the first experiment, beginning in June 1994 (7 months after initiation), the lower leaves were harvested every 3 months with 12, 15, or 18 leaves remaining per plant. All plants were harvested to 12 leaves at the final harvest in Mar. 1997. Fertilized plants that were harvested to 12 leaves produced 81 leaves each during the 3-year period, whereas those harvested to 15 or 18 leaves each produced 76 leaves. In contrast, each of the nonfertilized plants produced 36 leaves. Fertilization tripled the cumulative weight of harvested leaves over a 3-year period. The initial quarterly and cumulative leaf weights were higher in plants harvested to 12 leaves than those harvested to 15 or 18 leaves. However, this difference diminished and disappeared over time. Fertilized plants harvested to 18 or 15 leaves yielded over 10.8 kg annually, whereas nonfertilized plants with 12 leaves produced an average of 3.5 kg leaves per plant. In the second experiment (with or without fertilizer and micronutrient and 0, 25, 50, or 100 g/pot of powdered sulfur per year), plants responded similarly to fertilization as they did in the first experiment. The added micronutrients (25 g/pot per year) had no effect on plant growth. The highest rate of sulfur resulted in few leaves being harvested and reduced cumulative leaf weight in fertilized plants, but did not affect the number of harvestable leaves or their total weight in nonfertilized plants. Soil pH declined from 7.6 to 4.6 as a result of fertilization regardless of the amount of sulfur being applied. In both experiments, plants that received fertilizer had slight cold injury on the abaxial side of some south-facing leaves. The results suggest the importance of fertilizer application to enhance leaf initiation rate. Plants should be harvested to leave no fewer than 15 leaves, preferably 18, on the plant to maintain high leaf yield.
Leaf blades, axillary buds, shoot tips, green bark, suberized bark, or the whole plant of container-grown Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. cv. Jane Cowl were treated with uniconazole. Applying uniconazole (50 mg·liter-1) to axillary buds or the green bark below a bud immediately after pruning limited elongation of the first three internodes. Length of the fourth internode was unaffected, regardless of the site of uniconazole application. When used on plants with 24-day-old shoots, uniconazole (40 mg·liter -1) applied to the whole plant provided the only satisfactory height control. Leaf size was reduced by nearly 50%, with a concomitant increase (12%) in fresh weight per unit area. GA3 (50 mg·liter-1, was more effective in promoting elongation of shoots previously retarded with a drench application of uniconazole (0.1 mg/2.6-liter pot) when applied to the whole shoot, leaf blades, or shoot tip. Application of GA, only to the stein surface, whether old or young, did not effectively encourage the growth of shoots of plants previously treated with uniconazole. Chemical names used: (E)-1-(p-chlorophenyl) -4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-1-penton-3-ol (uniconazole); analogue of (1α,2β,4 α,4bβ,10β)-2,4a,7-trihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylenegibb-3-ene-1,10 dicarboxylic acid 1,4a-lactone (GA3).
Cuttings of a thornless mutation of Rosa odorata (RO) and R. multiflora (RM) were rooted in Feb., budded with Rosa `Queen Elizabeth' on 21 Apr. 1987, and planted in 2.6- or 5.2-liter containers. Five weeks after budding, over 50% of the buds on the thornless RO had developed into shoots, while only 4% of the buds on the RM were growing. After an additional 10 weeks, 80% and 60% of the buds on the thornless RO and RM, respectively, had development into shoots. Six months after budding, plants in the 5.2-liter pots produced 1 to 2 folds more flowers than those in 2.6-liter pots. Plants from all four production treatments were planted in a field with alkaline soil on 3 Nov. 1987. During the next four years, plants on RM showed severe chlorosis and had 5% and 45% survival for those produced in 2.6- and 5.2-liter pots, respectively. Those on the thornless RO had 85% and 100% survival when produced in 2.6- and 5.2-liter pots, respectively after four years. Leaves of plants on the thornless RO rootstock had higher concentrations of chlorophyll than those on the RM. However, analyses of leaves did not reveal differences in elemental concentrations among treatments.
The rate of full hydration for several hydrophilic polymers differed greatly (starch-based polymers > propenoate-propenoamid copolymer > polyacrylamide). Maximum water retention in distilled water varied from over 500 g to 57 g of water per of different dry materials. All polymers retained less water in the presence of metal ions or fertilizers, with substances releasing Fe+2 being the most detrimental. Potting media containing a polyacrylamide polymer reached maximum water retention after 6 irrigations, while those with Micromax (micronutrient source) required 10 irrigations to reach maximum hydration. The water-holding capacities of the media declined after repeated fertilization. Medium bulk density, total watet retention, and water retention per unit volume of medium were increased by the incorporation of the polymer, regardless of the presence of Micromax. Non-capillary porosity in medium amended with Micromax progressively decreased as the amount of the polymer increased, but remained unchanged in medium without Micromax. Repeated wet-dry cycles resulted in decreased water retention and increased non-capillary pore space of the media.
Foliar application of 500 or 1000 mg BA or PBA/liter to stock plants of golden pothos [Epipremnum aureum (Linden & Andre) Bunt.] induced axillary bud elongation but did not promote growth of cuttings taken from these stock plants. Cuttings from plants treated with BA + GA4+7, each at 1000 mg·liter-1, died. Plants grown under 1000 μmol·s-1·m-2 had more but smaller leaves than those under 420 μmol·s-1·m-2. Cuttings produced under the higher light level grew more rapidly. Leaf area increased while stem length decreased as Osmocote slow-release fertilizer (18N-2.6P-10K) increased from 4 to 16 kg·m-3. A 24N-3.5P-13.3K water-soluble fertilizer applied at the rate of 0.42 g/500 ml weekly produced the best plants and resulted in the best cutting growth. Cuttings taken from stock plants receiving Osmocote at 4 kg·m-3 grew slower than those produced at other rates. Placement of cuttings in a mist-propagation bed for 1 or more weeks resulted in an accelerated growth rate relative to nonmisted cuttings. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine (BA); N-(phenylmethyl)-9-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-9H-purin-6-amine (PBA); (1α,2β,4aα,10β) 2,4a,7-trihydroxy-l-methyl-8-methylenegibb-3-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid l,-4a-lactone (GA4+7).
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis `Jane Cowl' were pruned several weeks after receiving 0.1 mg/pot uniconazole soil drenches to retard the growth. Plants then received foliar sprays of GA3 (50 ppm), KIBA (200 ppm), or PBA (200 ppm) immediately after pruning or when the lateral shoots had three leaves. Application of the above growth regulators immediately after pruning had no effect on plant growth. When treatments were delayed until the three-leaf stage, GA3 completely restored leaf production rate and partially restored shoot elongation and pedicel length. GA3 also increased leaf area, and the leaf specific weight was similar to leaves on plants not receiving uniconazole. GA3 increased flower production 175% and 65% more than plants treated with uniconazole and the untreated plants, respectively. KIBA and PBA had no effect on altering the growth of uniconazole-treated plants. Foliar application of a combination of GA3, KIBA and PBA at the three-leaf stage had an effect similar to that of GA3 alone. However, the effect of GA3 on growth appeared to be transient and repeated application may be required to maintain the restored growth of uniconazole-treated plants.
Results of a series of experiments showed that the ground, noncomposted woody stem core of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) can be used successfully as a container medium amendment for producing potted tropical foliage and woody nursery crops. The growth of Brassaia actinophylla Endl., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. `Jane Cowl', and Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Ait. `Wheeler's Dwarf' in 70% or 80% kenaf (by volume, the balance being peatmoss or perlite or vermiculite and other nutrients) was similar to or greater than growth in two popular commercial mixes. Undesirable shrinkage of certain kenaf-amended media during plant production was reduced greatly by mixing it with at least 30% peatmoss or by using a coarser kenaf grind. As the portion of peatmoss increased from 0% to 30%, noncapillary porosity and water-holding capacity per container increased. A medium consisting of 50% kenaf, 40% peatmoss, and 10% vermiculite held as much water as a commercial medium. However, plants in most kenaf-amended media required more-frequent irrigation than those in the commercial media.
Young, bare-root plants (three leaves, 15 cm in leaf spread) from a vegetatively propagated clone of Phalaenopsis Blume x Taisuco Kochdian were imported in late May and planted in a mix consisting of three parts medium-grade Douglas fir bark and one part each of perlite and coarse peat (by volume) or in pure Chilean sphagnum moss. All plants were given 221 N, 124 P, 515 K, 100 Ca, and 50 Mg (all in mg·L−1) when being irrigated. The total N varied from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, to 100% NO3-N with the balance being NH4-N. Plants were fertigated when the substrate became dry. For both substrates, as the percentage of NO3-N increased, plants produced slightly fewer leaves. Regardless of the NO3-N to NH4-N ratio, plants grown in moss produced one extra leaf than those planted in the bark mix during an 8-month period. There was a tendency of increasing top leaf length and width as well as the whole-plant leaf spread as NO3-N increased from 0% to 100% in either substrate. Plants receiving 50% or more NO3-N in either substrate spiked and flowered 2 weeks earlier than those given 25% or 0% NO3-N. When grown in the bark mix, flower count, flower diameter, and inflorescence length all increased as NO3-N increased from 0% to 75%. Flower stem (inflorescence, 5 cm from the base) became progressively thicker as NO3-N increased from 0% to 100%. Only two among the 24 plants grown in moss and receiving 100% NH4-N bloomed. These results suggest that Phalaenopsis does not grow well with 100% NH4-N and must be provided with NO3-N at no less than 50%, preferably 75%, of the total N for improved growth and flowering.