Articles
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.