Vol. 71 No: 3

Title:
Long-Term Flower Production of a Rose crop. II. The Importance of New Basal-Shoot Formation

Author:
M.T.N. KOOL

pp: 445-452

Abstract:
The importance of new basal-shoot formation for plant development and flower production of Rosa hybrida ‘Motrea’ was studied for more than four years. After one year, new basal-shoot formation was either restricted or undisturbed. In both treatments, fresh-weight production decreased after the second year; this is discussed in relation to an increase in respiration as a result of an increase in stem biomass. Limiting the number of new basal shoots increased flower weight and slightly enhanced flower production during the second year as compared with leaving all renewal canes on the plant. In the latter case, the number of basal stems was almost twice as high after three years. New basal shoots may compete with existing ones as indicated by the limited diameter increase and the higher mortality rate for old basal shoots in comparison with the treatment in which basal-shoot formation was restricted. Further, the weight of flowers harvested from new basal shoots was clearly greater than from older shoots. However, restricted basal-shoot growth had hardly any significant effects on the total number of harvested flowers and average flower weight as compared with the undisturbed situation. In the fourth year a slightly decreased flower production was observed in the case of restricted basal-shoot formation. It may be concluded that there is no relation between the number of basal shoots and flower production over a series of years.

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