630 Growth Regulators Affect the Morphology and Flowering of Argyranthemum, Calibrachoa, and Orthosiphon

Abstract

Argyranthemum frutescens `Sugar Baby', Calibrachoa hybrid `Million Bells Cherry Pink', and Orthosiphon stamineus `Lavender' are three vegetatively propagated specialty annuals that are recent introductions into the floriculture industry. It is important to understand how the growth and development of these new crops is best controlled. Rooted cuttings of these three species where transplanted into 10-cm pots on 7 Oct. and the plant growth regulator treatments were applied on 19 Oct. 1999. Foliar spray treatments included ancymidol at 66 and 132, daminozide at 2500 and 5000, paclobutrazol at 20 and 40, ethephon at 500 and 1000, and uniconazole at 10 and 20 mg/L. Uniconazole medium drench treatment was applied at 1 and 2 mg/L. Control was a water foliar spray. At harvest, plant height, plant width, number of flowers, pedicle length, stem length, stem node number and internode length, and fresh and dry weights were measured. Uniconazole spray at 20 mg/L reduced plant height and width without affecting the fresh and dry weights of Argyranthemum. Flower number was increased and pedicel length was reduced. The overall plant height and width of Calibrachoa were not reduced with 20 mg /L uniconazole foliar spray, but plant form was improved by decreased internode elongation. Uniconazole foliar spray at 20 mg/L reduced Orthosiphon stem and internode length. Ethephon reduced plant height, plant width, and flower number of all species. Branching and days to flower were increased in Orthosiphon. In all species, daminozide and paclobutrazol were found to be ineffective, while ancymidol spray and uniconazole drench stunted and distorted growth.