Low Pressure and Refrigerated Storage of Rooted and Unrooted Ornamental Cuttings1

Abstract

Abstract Rooted and unrooted cuttings of geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum, Bailey cv. Irene), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima, Wild cv. Annette Hegg Dark Red), tallhedge buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula L. cv. Columnaris), Regel's privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zuce. cv. Regelianum), and compact European cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum opulus L. compactum), were stored up to 9 weeks using low pressure (LP) and refrigerated (RF) storage systems at 1.1 to 2.2°C with 95% relative humidity except for the poinsettia and geranium cuttings which were stored at 5±.5°C. Low pressure storage extended the storage life of rooted geranium and poinsettia cuttings 2 weeks beyond that achieved with RF storage. Unrooted geranium and poinsettia cuttings had 2 week and 4 day longer storage periods, with LP than RF storage, respectively. Unrooted compact European cranberry bush viburnum, Regel's privet, and tallhedge buckthorn cuttings stored 6 weeks using LP storage were superior to RF storage. Regardless of treatment, quality of all stored plant materials decreased with increased time in storage.