Growth and flowering of Polyxena corymbosa (Hyacinthaceae)

Polyxena corymbosa (L.) Jessop is a Hyacinthaceae bulbous plant native to the Cape area in South Africa. P. corymbosa is a typical dwarf bulbous plant and blooms in early winter.
The aims of this study are to reveal the basic flowering physiology of P. corymbosa and to establish flowering control of the species.
Flower initiation of P. corymbosa occurred from late July to early August during storage and the inflorescence developed quickly until the middle of September.
Bulbs of more than 2 g are suitable for commercial use.
The floral initiation was depressed at 30°C. Bulbs kept at 20 to 25°C produced inflorescences with several flower primodia until 4 weeks of storage.
Bulbs cultured at 15 and 20°C showed nearly same days to sprout and flower.
On the other hand, bulbs cultured at 25°C delayed both sprouting and flowering considerably.
Forcing culture is possible when bulbs are stored at 20°C from early summer.
Delayed-start culture is also possible if corms are stored at 30°C in early autumn to prevent floral development during storage.

II Asian Horticultural Congress

S. Fukai, Y. Katsu, T. Narumi-Kawasaki, E. Kodaira

forcing culture, delayed started culture, temperature

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1208.49