The Node Knows: Cracking the Code on Faster Growth
For greenhouse growers, the speed at which plants develop new nodes (where the leaves, branches, buds, and new growth emerge) plays a crucial role in efficiency and profitability. Faster-growing plants mean quicker turnaround, higher cutting yields, and better adaptability to different growing conditions. Recent research from Michigan State University, supported by the American Floral Endowment, has uncovered new insights into the genetic regulation of growth rate in petunias. These discoveries could have far-reaching implications for breeding faster-growing, more energy-efficient ornamental plants across the industry. Faster Growth Means More Profits The speed at which a plant grows—specifically, how quickly it produces new leaves and branches—has a big impact on greenhouse production. A faster-growing plant can mean: Shorter production times, allowing for…