Post-Greenhouse Evaluations of Forced Bulbous Plants Progress Reports — September 1994
Date August 17, 1994
Title of Project Post-Greenhouse Evaluations of Forced Bulbous Plants
Institution where work is being conducted University of FL/North Carolina State Univ.
Amount of Endowment Grant $10,000
Covering Period 1/94 to 12/94
Anticipated Date of Project Completion/Final Report 12/96
Individual(s) Conducting Project:
(List Project Leader First)
Terril A. Nell – Title Professor
Telephone Number (904) 392-1829
Gus DeHertogh – Title Professor
James E. Barrett – Title Professor
Post-Greenhouse Evaluations of Forced Bulbous Plants
Terril A. Nell, Gus DeHertogh and James E. Barrett
University of Florida and North Carolina State University
- A. Project Objective:
- 1. To determine the effective home-life of selected non-rooting room forced bulbs and tuberous
flowering potted bulbs.
- 2. To determine effects of Ethephon on height control of Narcissus and Amaryllis and A-Rest on
tulip cultivars.
- 3. To determine the optimum stage of marketability for Astilbe.
- 2. To determine effects of Ethephon on height control of Narcissus and Amaryllis and A-Rest on
- B. Summary of Work Completed:
- 1. Multiple shipments of Leucojum aestivum, Scilla turbergeniana, astilbe and dwarf Freesia were
received at marketable stage and placed at various interior temperatures and light levels.
- 2. We have received two cultivars of Amaryllis and fifteen cultivars of Narcissus treated with
Ethephon and twenty cultivars of tulip treated with A-Rest. Plants were shipped from Raleigh to
Gainesville at marketable stage.
- 3. Astilbe were produced to the following three stages of marketability–0-10% of the flowers open,
11-30% of the flowers open or 31-80% of the flowers open, and then placed into postproduction
rooms.
- 2. We have received two cultivars of Amaryllis and fifteen cultivars of Narcissus treated with
- C. Results to Date:
- 1. Longevity and quality were increased with decreasing interior temperatures. Light level had
minimal influence on longevity.
- 2. Ethephon effectively controlled height of Narcissus cultivars but was not effective in reducing the
height of Amaryllis. Longevity was not affected by Ethephon treatment on Narcissus but a slight
reduction in longevity was observed in Ethephon treated Amaryllis. A-Rest did not control the
height of tulips throughout the post-greenhouse evaluation period.
- 3. Stage of marketability greatly influenced the performance of Astilbe indoors. Inflorescence
development either ceases or is reduced when plants are marketed with fewer than 30% of the
flowers open. Plants marketed with more than 30% of the flowers open had the greatest quality
and longevity.
- 2. Ethephon effectively controlled height of Narcissus cultivars but was not effective in reducing the
- D. Future Plans Covered by the Endowment Grant:
- Shipments of Allium karataviense, Anemone coronaria, Convallaria, Dahlia, Freesia, Lilium,
Oxalis, and Ranunculus are scheduled for Spring 1995.
- E. Anticipated Benefits for Floral Industry:
- Potted bulbs offer the consumer an excellent product for fall and spring holidays and floral sales.
These results illustrate the importance of maintaining flowering bulbs at cool temperatures
throughout the post-greenhouse phase. This information should be useful in floral marketing
programs.
- F. Additional Information/Publications:
- Armellini Express Lines has been most accommodating in transporting plants from Raleigh to
Gainesville.
- Results were presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science meetings and additional
publications are being written.
- Results were presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science meetings and additional
