VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF STRELITZIA REGINAE *

Abstract

Strelitzia reginae is propagated either by division of naturally developed branches known as fans or by seeds. Vegetative propagation by division is limited by a low rate of multiplication being 0.5–1.5 divisions per branch per year. Branching originates in the division of the apical dome with an absolute abscence of branching from axillary buds. Propagation by seeds is undesirable due to juvenility and genetic variation. Therefore induction of branching to increase the multiplication rate of Strelitzia by elimination of apical dominance was the purpose of this study. Selected plants were excavated and divided in fans. After shortening the roots to 20 cm, the fans were planted in containers and left for recovery and root regeneration. Then the apex was reached by a triangular excision of a part of the plant with a transversal cut 8–12 mm above the basal plate throughout the basal leaf sheaths keeping the leaves in contact with the roots. Thereafter the apex was removed and after 2–6 months lateral sprouts developed, varying in number from 2 to 30 per fan depending on age and size of the fan. In order to obtain shoots with roots most of the old roots were removed and during the next 6 months the newly formed laterals, rooted and could be divided in individual plants. These plants could be treated again from one year on. The total period for the sequential processes took one year