EFFECT OF PLANTING DENSITY AND HARVESTING METHOD ON ROSE FLOWER PRODUCTION

The effect of planting density and harvesting method on flower production and flower stem quality of Rosa hybrida ‘First Red’ was studied for a 3-year cropping period.
Two planting densities (6 and 8 plants per m²) were combined with three types of harvesting methods.
The primary shoot was bended to allow the outgrowth of basal and lateral buds.
Harvesting of the newly formed shoots was as follows 1) all shoots were harvested as low as possible to the point of outgrowth 2) the first basal shoots were harvested on the first most basal 5-leaf, the following emerging shoots were harvested as low as possible to the point of outgrowth 3) the first basal shoots were harvested on the second most basal 5-leaf, the following emerging shoots were harvested on the first most basal 5-leaf.
Bending practice continued throughout the experiment.

Harvesting technique had a pronounced effect on formation of new flower shoots.
Harvesting method 3 resulted in the highest number of flower stems and biomass production (kg fresh weight/m²) for the three successive years while the lowest productivity was noted for harvesting method 1. Flower stem quality, however, was highest for method 1. Planting density did affect productivity but not flower stem quality, the highest yield was noted for a planting density of 8 plants/m². Planting density did not interact with harvesting method.
The results indicate that the grower can use harvesting technique as a tool for increasing productivity (lower flower stem quality) or for increasing flower stem quality (lower productivity) of the rose crop.

XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 3: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications, Disease, Pest Control and Integrated Pest Strategies

P. Dambre, L. Blindeman, M.C. Van Labeke

Rosa, biomass production, cut flower, flower stem quality, harvesting method, planting density

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.513.15