The effect of flower removal on the growth and quality of bushes of two rose (Rosa L.) varieties

Piotr Baryła,Piotr Kiczorowski,Marcela Krawiec,Stanisław Wociór,Magdalena Kapłan,Irena Wójcik,Salwina Palonka

doi:10.5586/aa.2014.009

Abstract

The present study was conducted during the period 2008–2011 in a production nursery without irrigation and established on grey-brown podzolic soil classified as soil class II. The study investigated the effect of regular flower removal on the growth and quality of bushes of the following rose (Rosa L.) varieties: a multi-flowered variety ‘Arthur Bell’ and a large-flowered variety ‘Burgund’. In the case of the multi-flowered variety ‘Arthur Bell’, flower removal was found to have a significant effect on the number and total length of shoots growing from the bud union in bushes. On the other hand, this practice was not shown to have an effect on the growth and quality of bushes of the large-flowered variety ‘Burgund’. In the case of bushes of the studied varieties budded on Rosa multiflora Thunb. rootstock, the study showed significant differences in plant growth and branching between years. In 2009, after spring frosts that damaged young shoots and as an effect of a lower amount of rainfall by about 60 mm during the growing season, a much worse quality of rose bushes was obtained than in the other years.

Highlights

Poland is a major producer of rose bushes in Europe
In 2008 and 2011, it was shown for ‘Arthur Bell’ rose bushes that flower removal slightly increased root collar diameter compared to the control treatment
It was demonstrated that in the case of multi-flowered rose varieties, such as ‘Arthur Bell’, the mitigation of nutritional competition between fruit being formed and shoots growing from the bud union by the removal of flowers can improve the ability of early development of shoots growing out of the place of budding under nursery conditions, which are well lignified before bushes are dug out

Summary

Introduction

Poland is a major producer of rose bushes in Europe. In the 1990’s, the production of rose bushes was estimated at 15–18 million [1,2]. Poland was Europe’s largest exporter of rose bushes [3]. 24 million rose bushes were exported in 1999, mainly to Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Compared to 2000, rose production in 2005 decreased by about 62%, while in 2010 by more than 80%. Both nursery growers and analysts agree that the reason for this regression was the deteriorating relation of income derived from rose production compared to other branches of ornamental plant nursery

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Discussion

Conclusion