STORAGE DURATION AND TEMPERATURE AFFECT DORMANCY OF HIPPEASTRUM

Authors:	J.S. Kuehny, W.B. Miller
Keywords:	bulbs, emergence, flowering, forcing, bud
Abstract: Hippeastrum bulbs are produced in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The dry bulbs are sold for forcing as a flowering potted plant or as a dormant bulb to be placed in a decorative box and forced by the consumer. Storage temperatures and durations of Hippeastrum bulbs may result in varied rates of emergence or flowering. Thus the objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of storage temperatures of 5, 9, 13, 21, or 29°C for a duration of 6, 9, 12, or 15 weeks on shelf life of dry bulbs and emergence, flowering, and time to finish of forced Hippeastrum 'Apple Blossom', 'Red Lion', and 'Minerva'. Leaf and bud emergence of treated dry bulbs stored at 21°C decreased with increasing storage temperatures. There was a greater probability of dry bulbs becoming unacceptable when stored at lower temperatures. For forced bulbs, days to leaf emergence increased with increasing storage temperatures but decreased with increasing storage duration. Days to bud emergence decreased with increasing storage duration. Storage temperatures that produced a quality finished product after forcing were 5, 9 or 13°C for Minerva and Red Lion, and 5 or 9°C for Apple Blossom.
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