Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Flowering of Potted Red Firespike

Abstract

The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on growth and flowering of potted red firespike (Odontonema strictum) were examined in two experiments. In Expt. 1, foliar spray applications of daminozide, uniconazole, paclobutrazol, or flurprimidol or media drenches of paclobutrazol or flurprimidol were applied. In Expt. 2, foliar spray application of daminozide or media drenches of paclobutrazol or flurprimidol were further tested for efficacy of height control. Both studies included an untreated control. In Expt. 1, drench applications of paclobutrazol and flurprimidol resulted in plants 65% or 46% to 62% shorter than control, respectively. Paclobutrazol and flurprimidol drenches also decreased overall plant growth by 81% to 88% and 74% to 84%, respectively, compared with the control plants. PGRs did not affect number of inflorescences; however, paclobutrazol and flurprimidol delayed flowering 23 to 31 days. In Expt. 2, plants treated with flurprimidol or paclobutrazol drenches were shorter than the control. The greatest reduction in total plant growth occurred using a flurprimidol drench at 0.47 mg/pot, which resulted in plants 78% smaller than the untreated control. Paclobutrazol and flurprimidol increased the time to flowering 11 to 27 days and 10 to 26 days, respectively. The most attractive and well-shaped plants were achieved with flurprimidol applied at 0.24 mg/pot or applications of paclobutrazol at 0.35 mg/pot.