Browsing by Author "Grossman, Mara Celeste"

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    Controlling Growth in Echinacea Hybrids
    Grossman, Mara Celeste (Virginia Tech, 2017-05-02)
    New hybrid Echinacea cultivars, based on crosses of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench with several other Echinacea species, have generated interest and excitement in the marketplace due to novel flower colors and forms. However, these cultivars vary significantly in their growth habits and requirements from the species. We examined factors in the production of Echinacea hybrid cultivars to provide guidance to growers. Foliar sprays 600 mg·L⁻¹ benzyladenine (BA) increased numbers of branches between 19% and 83% in Echinacea cultivars while 400 mg·L⁻¹ dikegulac sodium or 500 mg·L⁻¹ ethephon did not improve branching. Of several height control PGRs applied to E. ‘Marmalade,’ only plants treated with two applications of 5000 mg·L⁻¹ daminozide were shorter (24%) compared to untreated controls although flowering was also reduced by 70%. Echinacea ‘Harvest Moon’ plants were shorter in response to all of the PGRs applied, with the best results seen in plants treated with foliar sprays of uniconazole (one application of 30 mg·L⁻¹ or two applications of 15 mg·L⁻¹ ), two applications of 5000 mg·L⁻¹ daminozide, or 4 mg·L⁻¹ paclobutrazol applied once as a drench. Supplying N at 150 mg·L -1 during the growing season provided Echinacea cultivars adequate nutrition and maximized numbers of branches and flowers and shoot dry weight. In overwintering, fertilization treatments that resulted in low substrate electrical conductivity going into dormancy, 5.0 kg·m controlled release fertilizer 15N-3.9P-10K or 150 mg·L⁻¹ N using 15N-2.2P-12.5K applied using constant liquid feed, resulted in the highest survival rates of Echinacea cultivars. As a monitoring tool, SPAD measurements were not successful in predicting tissue N levels in Echinacea hybrids. Twenty-one hybrid cultivars acquired as stage 3 tissue culture plantlets were grown under one of three photoperiods (10-hour, 16-hour, or 24-hour) for 10 weeks before being transplanted to larger containers and grown under natural daylength until flowering. Providing Echinacea hybrid cultivars with a 16-hour photoperiod during liner production resulted in plants which flowered soonest without negative effects on growth. The need for height control PGRs varied by cultivar; however, overall height control PGRs controlled flower stalk height and increased market rating.
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    Use of Plant Growth Regulators to Improve Branching of Herbaceous Perennial Liners
    Grossman, Mara Celeste (Virginia Tech, 2012-05-01)
    The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of PGRs to improve branching during production of herbaceous perennial liners and finished plants. The effects of benzyladenine (BA) on the branching and root and shoot growth of Agastache Clayt. Ex Gronov. 'Purple Haze', Gaura lindheimeri Engelm. & A. Gray 'Siskiyou Pink', Lavandula × intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. 'Provence', Leucanthemum × superbum (Bergmans ex J.W. Ingram) Bergmans ex Kent. 'Snowcap', and Salvia × sylvestris L. (pro sp.) 'May Night' was tested. Root dry weight was found to be highly correlated to root volume and root surface area. In liners, all taxa except Salvia had increased branching while all except Gaura had reduced rooting. Increased branching was not evident in most taxa as finished plants. The effects of BA on Aster 'Professor Anton Kippenberg' (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii L.'Professor Anton Kippenburg'), Campanula punctata Lam. 'Cherry Bells,' Cosmos atrosanguineus (Hook) Voss., Verbena bonariensis L. 'Lollipop,' Rosmarinus officinalis L.'Hill Hardy' and Veronica spicata L. 'Goodness Grows.' was tested. BA increased branching of three taxa as liners while roots were not affected. The addition of IBA did not improve root growth in BA-treated plants. Dikegulac sodium and ethephon were evaluated as branching enhancers in the same six perennials. Dikegulac increased branching of all except Campanula while ethephon increased branching in Veronica and Verbena. The effects of application time of BA on the branching of Agastache Clayton ex Gronov. 'Tutti Frutti' and Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' was evaluated with application of BA at 0, 7, 14, 17, 20 and 21 days after sticking (DAS); however growth was reduced in plants treated before rooting had occurred. Agastache finished plants treated at 14 DAS had increased branching whereas branching was not affected in Verbena liners or finished plants. The effects of single or multiple applications of BA and dikegulac sodium on Sedum spectabile Boreau 'Autumn Joy,' Gaillardia aristata Pursh 'Gallo Red,' Phlox paniculata L. 'Bright Eyes,' Nepeta racemosa Lam. 'Walker's Low,' Delosperma NE Br. 'Table Mountain,' and Achillea L. 'Moonshine' were evaluated. Two applications of PGR was most effective at increasing branching in finished plants. High rates of dikegulac sodium reduced growth in most plants studied while BA increased branches without negatively affecting plant growth.