Abstract
Container production of recently-developed and popular Kalmia latifolia cultivars has not been fully optimized. A study was conducted using six cultivars grown in full sun, 40% shade or 60% shade. Under 60% shade, plant height was reduced slightly, but shading, at either 40% or 60%, had no significant effect on all other measured growth parameters. Plants were too young to set significant numbers of flower buds, so the study will be continued a second year to quantify the effects of shade on flower bud set. Foliage color was measured using a Minolta CR-200 Chroma Meter. As shading increased, hue angle increased and the chroma and value of the color decreased, indicating that shading produced greener (less yellow), darker and duller foliage colors. Foliar chlorophyll content increased with increasing shading. Higher foliar chlorophyll content correlates with greener leaves in shaded treatments and is likely contributing to the green color. Using moderate levels of shade over container-grown Kalmia could allow growers to produce greener, more marketable plants without sacrificing plant growth.
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