![]() Long-dayphotoperiods increased plug height and final plant height for some cultivarsand decreased final plant diameter for all cultivars. Ambient lighting and longdays increased plug height and final plant height for some cultivars. Light quality from either metalhalide or high-pressure sodium lighting apparently had little effect,indicating that both types of lights are acceptable. Plugs grown under HIDlighting and short days were the shortest. Without HID lighting, cultivars thatnormally root rapidly will be ready to transplant in 10-14 days slow-rootingcultivars will be ready to transplant in 17-24 days. HID lighting improved rooting during low-light times of theyear, especially for slow-rooting cultivars such as Cascadia Charme, and willreduce time to transplanting by 7-10 days. ![]() Petunia cultivars examined included'Cascadia Charme', 'Cascadia Improved Charlie','Petitunia Bright Dream', 'Doubloon Blue Star','Marco Polo Odyssey' and 'Pocket Petunia' calibrachoastested included 'Liricashower Rose' and 'ColorburstViolet'. Anumber of factors were examined that influence flowering and branching,including photoperiod, plug flat density, Florel application, light intensity,light quality and fertilizer rate. Our research goal was to develop high-quality, highlybranched, compact vegetatively propagated petunia and calibrachoa plugs. A renewed focus on the Calibrachoa genus has resultedin the introduction of several new cultivar series in the last few years.Calibrachoa have a more limited color range than petunias but finer-texturedfoliage, a more pronounced trailing habit and abundant, small, single flowers. The calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrids) is considered a newspecies in the floriculture trade, but actually has been in cultivation sincethe early 19th Century. Since then several series of great vegetativelypropagated petunias have been released, expanding the range of growth habits,colors and degrees of doubleness offered. ![]() The seed-propagated 'Wave' series was also introduced and has similar characteristics, but a more restricted color range. Supertunias are vegetatively propagated because this group produces few if any seed. axillaris genetics broughta greater emphasis on vigorous, trailing growth and postproduction durability.The first of the new cultivars were released in the early 1990s with the introductions of 'Supertunias'. Of course, theoriginal seed-propagated bedding petunia is a hybrid between P. Most vegetatively propagated petunias are hybrids betweenthe bedding petunia (Petunia x hybrida) and Petunia axillaris. In the following article we will discuss how to cost-effectively grow petunias and calibrachoas with an emphasis on the areas we have been researching: propagation and growth (vine) control. The vigor ofpetunias and calibrachoa, while great for consumers, presents a challenge togrowers - too much of a good thing can make for tangled plants and shipping problems. These closely related species offerconsumers rapid growth, a wide range of colors and durability. Two stars of the booming vegetatively propagated beddingplant market are petunias and calibrachoa.
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