ISHS Acta Horticulturae 316: International Workshop on Intensive Cultivation of Protea
COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF PROTEA FLOWERING POT PLANTS SELECTED FOR RAPID PRODUCTION |
| Authors: | G.J. Brits, J. Ben-Jaacov, A. Ackerman, E. Tal |
| Abstract:
An overview of current production technology and likely future research developments is presented. A newly developed technique is described to produce a well-branched Leucospermum cutting on the mother plant in which the side shoots have both a good wide angle of growth and the desired thickness to produce a flower. Branched cuttings harvested during flower initiation resume flower development after rooting, producing flowering plants after 6–8 months. This "rapid production" technique requires material selected specially for propensity to flower following rooting. A series of Proteaceae clones has been identified which yield a high percentage superior flowers when rapidly produced. These include selections of Leucospermum with large heads (L. cordifolium, L. lineare, L. tottum); small, multiple heads (L. mundii, L. oleifolium); Leucadendrons (L. discolor, L. salignum); and Serrurias (S. aemula, S. florida); and especially interspecies F1-hybrids of these. The potential for cooperative production of pot plants for the European autumn and winter markets is discussed. | |
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