EFFECTS OF GROWTH REGULATORS AND TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF VERBENA ELEGANS HBK VAR. ASPERATA

Excessive shoot elongation could be prevented by application of Atrinal (sodium 2, 3:4,6-di-0-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonate) as a spray or soil drench, when the shoots were 3–5 cm long. This treatment also promoted development of lateral shoots. As a result of the increased number of shoots the number of inflorescences also increased.

There was a negative interaction between temperature and Atrinal on shoot length but a positive one on the number of shoots.

A night temperature of 18–21°C will give rapid growth and development. At this temperature, Atrinal applied as a spray at a concentration of 0.10–0.12% a.i. will effectively control shoot elongation and improve development of lateral shoots.

Verbena elegans var. asperata is an excellent bedding plant for sunny exposures when water supply is ensured.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files)