Stock plant shading and rooting of dahlia cuttings

I. Biran*, A. H. Halevy

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of shading dahlia mother plants on rootability of cuttings was studied with three cultivars: 'Choot Hashani', 'Orpheo' and 'Lavender Perfection'. Reducing natural light intensity by approximately 50% increased rooting percentage of 'Orpheo' cuttings, but did not affect rooting of the harder cuttings of 'Lavender Perfection'. Shading stock plants during midday hours only caused internode elongation in 'Orpheo', but did not increase rooting. In 'Choot Hashani' the same shading treatment promoted rooting. Shading only the base of the cutting when still on the mother plant greatly promoted rooting percentage and mean number of roots per cutting. The reason for the variability in the response to shading is discussed and it is concluded that the shading effect is limited to the root initiation region. It is assumed that shading improves rooting by promoting the herbaceous character of the rooting region. Shading did not affect rooting of cuttings which remained woody in spite of shade.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-131
Number of pages7
JournalScientia Horticulturae
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1973

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