May 1993
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HortScience
The effects of watering frequency, bulb size, temperature, and Promalin on flowering of Cyrtanthus elatus , were investigated. Bulbs must be 8 cm, in circum., with minimum of 10 leaf bases before the first inflorescence will develop from a swollen leaf base. One inflorescence was initiated for each set of 5 leaf bases. Watering frequencies did not affect flower bud development and abortion. Greater than 73% of plants developing from bulbs larger than 15.3 cm in circum. produced an inflorescence with 4 to 6 flowers when grown at 26/23C (D/N) and sprayed with 3,000 ppm Promalin. Anthesis was accelerated from 64 days to 39 days when temperatures were increased from 16/13 to 26/23C. A second inflorescence was also produced from some Promalin-treated plants grown at 26/23C. Flower bud abortion of inflorescences formed on the outer row of leaf bases appeared to contribute to irregular flowering.