ISHS Acta Horticulturae 387: III International Protea Research Symposium
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF TIME OF PRUNING ON SHOOT GROWTH AND FLOWERING TIME OF PROTEA |
| Authors: | D.G. Malan, R.D. le Roux |
| Abstract:
Shoot growth, flower initiation and development cycles of Protea are not as predictable as in Leucospermum and Leucadendron. Flower initiation apparently does not occur at the same time in different genotypes. This very often inhibits consistent predictable production of high quality long stemmed Protea cut flowers. This study reports on attempts to regulate these processes through pruning. Shoots of Protea cultivars Cardinal, Brenda, Sneyd and Susara were pruned during June, September, December and March. Mature shoots were cut back to the bud ring separating the first and second flush of the shoot to leave a stump of 10 to 15 cm on the plant. The growth of the strongest shoot, the increase in diameter of flowers on this shoot and its flowering time were monitored monthly. Implications for cutting plant training and pruning of Protea are discussed. | |
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