Paclobutrazol Effects on Bedding Plants During Production, Shipping, and the Retail Environment When Applied in Production

Abstract

Abstract Foliar sprays of 10, 15, or 20 ppm paclobutrazol followed by a second application of 50 ppm were applied to ‘Bravo Lavender’ and ‘Celebrity Blue’ petunias and ‘Salvador Red’ and ‘Vista Red’ salvia during production to determine their effects on plant growth, flowering and market quality during production, simulated shipping, and while in a simulated retail environment. Paclobutrazol effectively suppressed shoot growth and enhanced market quality of all cultivars during production, while minimally or not affecting time to first flower. Growth suppression and enhanced market quality continued through simulated shipping and the period plants were in the retail environment. While in the simulated retail environment, plants were exposed to six or seven wilt/hydration cycles. The % wilted plants of all four cultivars previously treated with paclobutrazol during production was much less than that of the controls: ‘Bravo Lavender’ petunia, 21 vs. 67%; ‘Celebrity Blue’ petunia, 10 vs. 88%; ‘Salvador Red’ salvia, 15 vs. 69%; and ‘Vista Red’ salvia; 13 vs. 74%.