SELECTION AND CULTURE OF FLOWER, FOLIAGE, AND FRUITING PLANTS FOR MA\SS MARKET SALES 2ND
Subject:
Pennsylvania Flower Growers #278
Abstract:
The primary objective of this project is the selection and restyling of plants for adaptation primarily to mass market sales. Flowering plants should have attractive flowers which will last one or more weeks in the average home and be easily propagated from seed or have a reliable source of rooted cuttings. Foliage plants should be suitable to a wide range of light conditions and tolerant of adverse irrigation practices. Fruiting plants should be ornamental as well as edible. All plants must be adapt able to rapid development in 3, 4 or 5 inch pots, i.e. ready for sale in 10 to 12 weeks from cuttings or in 16 to 20 weeks from seed. Hopefully, these crops will be relatively resistant to insect and disease infestations. Methods A wide range of plant material will be screened including flowering, foliage and fruiting plants. New crops will be grown from seed when possible and those which germinate poorly will be set aside for future studies. Those which germinate easily will be grown in a 60° F greenhouse with automatic irrigation and weekly fertilization in a standard soil mixture. Each crop will be treated with one or more chemical growth regulators. Those crops which respond to the retardant, with a reduced growth rate, will be grown in terrariums under three light regimes. Some crops will be grown from cuttings with growth retardants used for restyling them for sale in smaller pots. Schedules will be developed for year-round flowering or growth of foliage plants which appear most suitable for this use.
Keywords: Growth regulators Ornamental Attractive flowers Easily propagated
Libraries: Floriculture