ISHS Acta Horticulturae 453: IV International Protea Working Group Symposium
FLOWER PRODUCTION OF PROTEA EXIMIA IN SOILLESS CULTIVATION |
| Authors: | P. Allemand, J.P. Franco, J.P. Ziegler |
| Abstract:
Protea eximia plants grown from seed were grown under soilless cultivation in a greenhouse for cutflower production. The vegetative pattern and flower production were studied over six years. Using different methods to pinch and prune the plants, the evolution of various parameters was followed : vegetative and flower production periods, ratio of branching and floribundity of the different orders of branches, the number of growth units, and the length, diameter and straightness of the flower stem. The main results show that the vegetative and floral rhythms are not affected by the pruning and pinching system used, but the earliness of the first flowerings and the ratio of branching of the young plants are influenced by this. Consequently, the potentials of the further yields are significantly different. The number of growth units (flushes), and consequently the length of the flowering stems, are also influenced by the different treatments of pinching and pruning, whereas the stem diameter is not altered significantly. Finally, the pruning of the weakest branches during the vegetative period does not modify the degree of straightness of the flowering stems obtained. The results of this study enable us to suggest, for the proteas species and varieties with similar development to P. eximia (i.e. proteas with sub terminal branching), a development and growth system for the soilless cultivation under greenhouse. This system should lead to the production of better yields, and to an increase of the commercial quality in the flower stems, (i.e. length and straightness). | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
