Effect of manual pinching, potting-on and cytokinins on branching and flowering of Camellia, Rhododendron and Rosa

Abstract

Shoot pruning, or pinching, is commonly practised to promote branching and compactness in various nursery lines. In Camellia and Rhododendron pinching doubled the number of lateral shoots, but only if plants had been recently potted-on to encourage vegetative growth. Cytokinin (BAP) application had no effect on branching and appears not to be readily absorbed through the waxy leaves. By contrast, manual pinching reduced shoot number and growth in miniature rose, whereas BAP application promoted branching and growth. In addition, double the number of terminal inflorescences developed on the cytokinin-treated plants.