BA Application Timing Affects Offset Formation in Hosta

Abstract

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of timing of benzyladenine (BA) application following division and potting of hosta on offset formation as a means of accelerating propagation. Stock plants of two cultivars, ‘Francee’ and ‘Frances Williams’, were divided and potted. Plants received a single foliar spray application of 3000 ppm BA immediately after potting (0) or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 weeks after potting. BA stimulated the outgrowth of axillary and rhizomic buds in both cultivars, but in most cases, only for plants in which BA application was delayed 3 or more weeks after potting. Compared to the non-treated control, plants treated with BA 3 or more weeks after potting produced more offsets; however, plants treated 0, 1, or 2 weeks after potting produced similar numbers of offsets as the control. Offsets on plants treated with BA formed more leaves than offsets on non-treated control plants, but application timing did not affect leaf number. ‘Francee’ produced offsets with more leaves than offsets of ‘Frances Williams’. Neither application timing nor BA affected growth index.