Propagation of Lilium hybrids. I. Dependence of bulblet production on time of scale removal and growth substances

Abstract

Production of bulblets from bulb scales of 12 Lilium Oriental hybrid clones indicated that an approximately threefold range in regenerative capacity existed within this group. The cultivar ‘Empress of India’ was the highest producer and provided 10 bulblets per bulb scale during a six-month period. This could provide an estimated yield of 500 bulblets per bulb. Propagation from bulb scales of most of the clones was equally effective with scales which were removed from the plants either immediately after cold treatment of the dormant bulbs, at the cessation of flowering, or at the cessation of growth of the aerial stems (post-senescence). Only ‘Empress of India’ and ‘American Eagle’ deviated, in that they produced fewer bulblets at the post senescence stage. When bulb scales were removed for propagation immediately after flowering, and treated with a combination of BAP and NAA (both 5 μM), bulblet production of the low producing clones was significantly increased, while that of the high producing ‘Empress of India’ was significantly decreased. These effects were less pronounced when the bulb scales were removed at the post-cold stage and virtually absent at the post senescence stage.