ISHS Acta Horticulturae 166: Propagation of Ornamental Plants
RHIZOME DIVISION OF KANGAROO PAWS ANIGOZANTHOS SPP. AND MACROPIDIA FULIGINOSA |
| Authors: | P.A. Watkins, R.W. Shepherd |
| Abstract:
Rhizome division of the kangaroo paws, Anigozanthos manglesii, A. viridis, A. rufus, A. pulcherrimus and Macropidia fuliginosa was investigated as a possible economical method of vegetative propagation for commercial growers. Established field plants were lifted, stored at ambient and 2°C for a few days or a month, divided and then replanted directly into the field. Of the five species of kangaroo paw investigated, viable results were achieved with A. manglesii and A. viridis while the survival rate of rhizome divisions for all theatments with the other species were too low to be considered useful for commercial purposes. Storage of rhizomes at 2°C for one month following lifting provided the most promising results for A. manglesii and A. viridis plants. April provided the optimum month for lifting and using this treatment 61% strike rate of A. manglesii divisions consisting of 2 shoots each was possible from irrigated plants. 100% strike rate for A. viridis was possible using the same theatment but from plants to which irrigation had ceased 6 weeks before lifting. Each successful division of A. manglesii and A. viridis was found to produce a maximum average of 1.4 and 4.1 flowers respectively in the first flowering season following propagation. No effect of division size on subsequent survival of flowering was found. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
