DELAYED WILTING OF BEDDING PLANTS TREATED WITH HYDRETAIN

Abstract

Bedding plant seedlings were obtained as plugs from commercial sources, transplanted into 10-cm pots, and grown using standard commercial procedures. When plants reached a marketable stage, they were treated with Hydretain, moved to a heavy shaded bench in the greenhouse, and time to first wilt was determined. At wilt, plants were given 180 ml of water, and time to second wilt was observed. Hydretain was applied directly to the media in a volume of 90 ml per pot. Hydretain dilutions in water were 1:4, 1:9, 1:14, 1:19, and 0:1 (controls). Time to first wilt in 'Red Elite' geraniums was 11, 10, 9, 10, and 5 days, respectively. For 'Little Bright Eyes' vinca, first wilt was in 7, 8, 5, 5, and 4 days; and time from treatment to second wilt was 18, 14, 11, 10, and 8 days, respectively. For 'Super Elfin Red' impatiens, first wilt was in 5, 4, 4, 3, and 3 days; and the water absorbed was 121, 167, 172, 132, and 148 ml, respectively. Second wilt was in 7, 7, 8, 5, and 5 days, respectively.