EFFECTS OF STORAGE AND PRODUCTION METHODS ON CYRTANTHUS ELATUS CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION

The effects of bulb grade sizes (24-30, 31-37, 38-44 and ≥45 mm) and light intensity (±40% shade) on the cut flower production of Cyrtanthus elatus bulbs were assessed over two seasons.
In a second experiment the effects of bulb storage treatments (0, 72 and 132 days storage at 4 and 10°C) and growing environment (a glasshouse or sheltered outdoor site) were assessed.
Stem length and weight, flower numbers/stem and stem numbers/bulb increased with bulb size.
Shade delayed flowering by 14.6 days and decreased the number of stems/bulb in the first season.
In the second season shade further decreased the number of stems/bulb.
In the second experiment storage delayed flowering in the greenhouse in the first season by up to 75 days.
Stems were longer in the glasshouse compared to outdoors, but stem numbers/bulb were similar.
In the second season stem numbers/bulb were fewer from the longer storage duration bulbs.
There were no significant differences in flower production or flowering time between the two bulb storage temperatures.

VIII International Symposium on Flowerbulbs

G.E. Clark, G.K. Burge, C.M. Triggs

Cyrtanthus elatus, bulb, storage, shade, production

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.570.18