Regeneration, growth and flowering of cut rose cultivars as affected by propagation material and method

Abstract

Effects of plant material (flowering and blind shoots) and propagation method (cutting and stenting) on regeneration, growth and flowering were studied with the cut rose cultivars ‘Korflapei’ (Frisco ®) and ‘Bergme’ (Gabriella ®). The rose plants, raised from cuttings and scions with two five-leaflet-leaves, were subsequently grown in rockwool slabs in a glasshouse with supplementary lighting and cultivated for a period of 20 months. There was no significant difference in rooting percentage for cuttings and scions from blind shoots compared with flowering shoots. Bud growth, initial shoot growth and survival were better from flowering shoots of Frisco ( P = 0.001), whereas for Gabriella there were no significant differences. For both cultivars, compared with flowering shoots as propagation material blind shoots resulted in an increased production of saleable blooms ( P = 0.05) comprising both first grade (not significant) and second grade ( P = 0.001) blooms. In contrast to Frisco, Gabriella had a higher bud growth percentage ( P = 0.05) for stentlings than for cuttings. Plants propagated by cuttings had a better root formation, a higher initial shoot growth and produced more flowers ( P = 0.05-0.001) than stentlings.