Post-Greenhouse Evaluations of Forced Bulbous Plants Progress Reports — December 1995
Date 12/11/95
Title of Project Post-Greenhouse Evaluations of Forced Bulbous
Plants - Phase I
Institution where work is being conducted N. C. State University and
University of Florida
Amount of Endowment Grant $12,000 ($3,000 NCSU - $9,000 FL)
Covering Period 6/94 to 6/95
Anticipated Date of Project Completion/Final Report 1995
Individual(s) Conducting Project:
(List Project Leader First)
Dr. Terril Nell- Title Professor
Telephone Number (904) 392-1829
Dr. James Barrett -Title Professor
Dr. A.A. DeHertogh -Title Professor
Postproduction Longevity of Flowering Potted Bulbs
Terril A. Nell, Gus DeHertogh and James E. Barrett
University of Florida and North Carolina State University
potted flowering bulbs was carried out on
22 species. These studies produced extremely valuable information
for the floral industry and
they established the first post-greenhouse database for them. It was
found that some species, e.g.,
Anemone blanda, had no potential as forced plants; while others, e.g.,
Caladium, survived for longer
than four weeks. Not only were the specific light and temperature requirements
determined but also
special needs such as staking for Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) and the use
of ethephon for control of
stem topple of hyacinths.
The most important aspect of these trials was the identification of
a fifth
phase of flower bulb forcing, the ‘Consumer Phase’. All post-greenhouse
information obtained will be
included in the fifth edition of the Holland Bulb Forcer’s Guide which
will be available in Spring 1996.
An example of the information for flowering potted tulips is attached.
It will be a readily available
source of knowledge for the floricultural industry. Information has
been provided throughout the
duration of these studies by articles in trade magazines, newsletters,
special trade publications and
lectures at industry short courses. Another important aspect was the
identication of the need for
studies on the performance of specific cultivars. For example, we found
that some lily cultivars (’Buff
Dixie’) had almost 100 % leaf browning within 2-3 days after storage
at 2 C, while others (’Miss
Burma’) had < 1 0 %. This clearly indicates the need for continued
research on genetic and
environmental factors affecting post-greenhouse performance of lilies.
Investigation on these factors
are in progress.
