Carnation cultivars `German Red' and `Chabaud' were planted in the field in Dallas, Texas, on 26 May 1994. During the subsequent 3 months, the average daily high temperature was 33C, and the average daily low temperature was 22C. `German Red' plants increased in height and diameter several-fold during this period. In contrast, `Chabaud' did not increase in height or diameter. `German Red' plants began flowering in early August, and by 2 Sept., all of the plants were blooming. None of the `Chabaud' plants produced flowers, and only 50% of the original plants were still alive on 2 Sept. Mean shoot dry weight per plant on 2 Sept. was 71.6 g for `German Red' and only 2.4 g for `Chabaud'. These results document the extraordinary heat tolerance of `German Red' carnation. This plant not only survived the summer, but also grew and began blooming during the hottest time of the year.
Abstract
Phalaenopsis are epiphytic orchids native to tropical Asia. The taxonomy of this genus is quite complex. For horticultural purposes, however, the species can be placed in one of 2 sections. One section contains those species (e.g., Phal. amabilis, Blume) which usually are spring blooming and produce inflorescences with 10 to 100 flowers. The flowers are quite large with a 5 to 10 cm natural spread and are pastel colored. The other section contains those species (e.g., Phal. lueddemanniana, Rchb.) which usually are summer blooming and produce inflorescences with 1 to 4 flowers. The flowers are quite small, only having a 3 to 5 cm natural spread, and are very brightly colored and patterned (1).
Three factorial experiments with various combinations of N, P or K were conducted over 3 years with Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran. Blooming was influenced by fertilization. Number of blooms was reduced by both low and high fertilization. Nitrogen appeared to be the most influential element, with high levels decreasing time to bloom and number of blooms. Potassium had no effect, and an increase in phosphorus decreased time to bloom and number of blooms.
Several collecting trips in Mexico, in association with a monographic revision of a portion of the genus Mirabilis, have produced several species which show promise as new perennial landscape plants. Mirabilis pringlei Weatherby, with its showy pink flowers, has potential as a striking summer blooming plant, particularly when used as a container accent plant. Equally promising are two as yet unnamed species, their fragrant white flowers opening in the evening, seem ideal as terrace or patio accents.
Abstract
‘TAMU Denman’ is a new cultivar of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] developed by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station for home and commercial orchards in north and central Texas. ‘TAMU Denman’ is a consistently high-yielding, late-blooming cultivar with heavy bud set. These characteristics facilitate commercial production during years when late freezes reduce production from other varieties. It is named for T.E. Denman, Horticulturist at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Stephenville for 31 years.
Abstract
Irrigation water was applied at various growth stages to peas (Pisum sativum L.) grown for processing. Irrigation increased all growth characters measured, extended blooming and pod setting, and delayed maturity 1 to 7 days. Irrigation at pod filling increased yield more than irrigation at any other growth stage and produced the greatest yield increase per cm of water applied. Irrigated peas were of lower quality for processing than non-irrigated peas.
Seedlings from three interspecific backcross rose populations derived from a F1 population were used to study inheritance of several traits in roses. Three F1 plants (WOB13, WOB21, and WOB26) from the hybridization of the diploid parents Rosa wichuraiana and `Old Blush' were backcrossed to `Old Blush' to produced three populations to observe the segregation of several morphological and disease resistance traits. The segregating rose traits in the backcrosses are no prickles on stems, non-recurrent blooming habit, white single flowers, black spot resistance, and powdery mildew resistance present in the Rosa wichuraiana parent compared to prickles on stems, recurrent blooming habit, pink double flowers, black spot susceptible, and powdery mildew susceptible present in the `Old Blush' parent. Visual data was collected for the segregating traits using color standards and rating scales as appropriate. The three populations expressed the segregating traits to varying degrees. Under the environmental conditions at College Station, Texas the population `Old Blush' × WOB26 had a greater expression of the traits for no prickles on stems, recurrent blooming habit, disease resistance to black spot, and disease resistance to powdery mildew, which are traits desired in breeding programs. The segregation of flower color (white/pink), and flower type (single, semi double, and double) were similar in all three populations.
Pollen development is an important event in plant reproduction. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) male flower differentiation starts in summer and pollen shed is in the winter. Hazelnut pollen shed can vary up to 3 months between early to late flowering genotypes. Microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis of hazelnut is not well understood. Pollen development and differentiation of nine genotypes, representing early to late blooming cultivars from the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Ore., were studied. Catkins were collected weekly from Aug. to Nov. 2002. Tissue sections were examined under the light microscope. Microsporogenesis was divided into five stages: archesporial cells, sporogenous cells and parietal layers, pollen mother cells (PMC), tetrads, and microspores. Microgametogenesis was distinguished between young pollen grains (uninucleate) and mature pollen grains (binucleate). On 4 Aug., cultivars were at different developmental stages of microsporogenesis. Early blooming cultivars had PMCs present. Later-blooming cultivars only contained archesporial cells. PMCs were present in all cultivars by 22 Aug. Microspores were observed on 26 Sept. in all cultivars. This study contributes to a better understanding of male gametophyte development in hazelnut, which has increased our ability to correlate hazelnut pollen development with bloom phenology.
moderately weak correlation was observed between BD with FDP (−0.46); however, earlier blooming does not necessarily result in a longer development period. Table 2. Phenotypic correlations among 10 peach phenological and fruit quality traits in nine peach
On March 13-15, 1993 Alabama and much of the eastern United States experienced an unusually severe winter storm. This afforded the evaluation of plum cultivar production under cold stress. The highest yielding variety that bloomed before the storm was Bruce 12-4 with 28 kg/tree. Bruce 12-4 is noted for blooming over an extended period of time and producing very heavy yields. The average yield of the top five performers that bloomed after the storm was 51 kg/tree. The lowest temperature recorded at the test site, Shorter, AL was -5C.