TEMPERATURE, TRANSPLANT TIME, AND PLUG SIZE EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF PANSY, PETUNIA, VINCA, AND IMPATIENS

Abstract

Petunia `Red Flash', Vinca `Little Blanch', Pansy `Magestic Giant Purple', and Impatien `Super Elfin Red' plugs were held in the greenhouse after they reached the saleable size in 200, 406, 512, and 800 for 1 to 3 weeks Pansy plugs were held in coolers at 40, 50, or 60F under fluorescent light for 16 hrs photoperiod for 1 to 3 weeks in 200, 406, 512, or 800 plug trays. All plants ware transplanted weekly and were grown in the greenhouse until flowering and data were collected. For plants bald in the greenhouse, plants were affected by transplanting time. As the holding time increased the final height, diameter, flower number, and fresh and dry weight of plants decreased. The flowering time was delayed by increase the holding time, regardless of plant variety, As cell size decreased, plant height, diameter, flower number, and fresh and dry weight decreased. For plants held in the coolers, the flowering time was delayed by the transplant time, regardless of cooler temperatures Plant quality was not affected by the treatment. The height, diameter, flowers number, and fresh and dry weight of plants showed a little effects by temperatures, cell size, and transplanting time.