Articles
Optimizing disbudding timing for extended harvest in Ayoba® Leucospermum cultivars
Article number
1463_2
Pages
7 – 14
Language
English
Abstract
Disbudding is a commercial strategy carried out by growers to optimize the production of Leucospermum R. Br.
Optimal disbudding timing varies regionally and among cultivars, influenced by factors such as climate, elevation, horticultural practices, and stem characteristics.
The cropping patterns of two Future Fynbos Ayoba® Leucospermum cultivars, Ayoba® ‘Sun’ and Ayoba® ‘Mandarin Zest’ were assessed compared to the industry benchmark, ‘Succession’. Harvest time, harvest duration, and the potential to manipulate harvest periods through disbudding were investigated.
The cultivar Ayoba® ‘Mandarin Zest’ demonstrated a long flowering window and significant disbudding potential, similar to ‘Succession’, whereas the later cultivar Ayoba® ‘Sun’ had a shorter harvest period and a narrower disbudding window.
Stem quality influenced harvest timing, as the bud development on longer, thicker stems progressed more rapidly than on shorter, thinner stems.
Disbudding in these cultivars is dependent on the time of disbud rather than the bud size.
Disbudding strategies should consider the regrowth time needed after harvest and the risk of damage to the primary bud before or during the picking season, which will largely depend on the regions and cultivars’ disbudding plasticity.
The results can be used to plan disbudding schedules to maximize flowering period extension and ensure alignment with market demands.
Optimal disbudding timing varies regionally and among cultivars, influenced by factors such as climate, elevation, horticultural practices, and stem characteristics.
The cropping patterns of two Future Fynbos Ayoba® Leucospermum cultivars, Ayoba® ‘Sun’ and Ayoba® ‘Mandarin Zest’ were assessed compared to the industry benchmark, ‘Succession’. Harvest time, harvest duration, and the potential to manipulate harvest periods through disbudding were investigated.
The cultivar Ayoba® ‘Mandarin Zest’ demonstrated a long flowering window and significant disbudding potential, similar to ‘Succession’, whereas the later cultivar Ayoba® ‘Sun’ had a shorter harvest period and a narrower disbudding window.
Stem quality influenced harvest timing, as the bud development on longer, thicker stems progressed more rapidly than on shorter, thinner stems.
Disbudding in these cultivars is dependent on the time of disbud rather than the bud size.
Disbudding strategies should consider the regrowth time needed after harvest and the risk of damage to the primary bud before or during the picking season, which will largely depend on the regions and cultivars’ disbudding plasticity.
The results can be used to plan disbudding schedules to maximize flowering period extension and ensure alignment with market demands.
Publication
Authors
N. Naudé, C. OBrien
Keywords
Ayoba® ‘Sun’, Ayoba® ‘Mandarin Zest’, crop optimization, crop phenology, cut flowers, Proteaceae
Online Articles (14)