VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION of FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS: II. Acer Rubrum, Gordonia Lasianthus, Magnolia Virginiana, and Styrax Americana

ruary. Our results to some extent also contradict those of Literature Cited Dirr and Heuser (6), who suggested the use of NAA and 1. Blazich, F. A. 1978. Effect of 3 ambient temperatures on rooting of other chemicals to promote root initiation in /. opaca. In Ilex crenata cultivar Convexa. HortScience 13:590-590. fact, it appears that hormones may be useful only in im 2. Blazich, F. A., R. D. Wright, and H. E. Schafner. 1983. Mineral nu provement of root quality when cuttings are taken in July trient status of cultivar Convexa holly Ilex crenata cuttings during (cf Table 3), although they are instrumental in root initia intermittent mist propagation as influenced by exogenous auxin ap tion at other times of the year. Use of chemicals other than plication. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 108:425-429. 3. Bonner, F. T. 1974. Ilex L. Holly. In: Seeds of Woody Plants of the IBA may be warranted during winter monthsand perhaps United States. U. S. Dept. Agr. Handb. 450. pp. 450-453. for hardwood cuttings. 4. Childers, J. T. and W. E. Snider. 1975. The effect of time of taking While vegetative propagation of specific cultivars is cuttings on the rooting of three cultivars of American holly {Hex opaca common practice and maintenance of genetic diversity in Ait.). Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 70:445-450. 5. Dehgan, B., J. M. Tucker, and B. S. Takher. 1985. Propagation and revegetated areas may be accomplished by taking the cut Culture of New Species of Drought Tolerant Plants for Highways. tings from a range of mother plants, the importance of Fed. Highway Adm./Calif. Division of Highways. seed-grown plants cannot be understated. Except for /. 6. Dirr, M. A. and C. W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. The Reference Manual of glabra seeds, which germinated without difficulty, we did Woody Plant Propagation. Varsity Press, Inc., Athens, Georgia. not attempt germination studies of hollies. Future studies 7. French, C. J. and W. C. Lin. 1984. Seasonal variation in the effects of carbon dioxide mist and supplementary lighting for high pressure are planned for other species. Nevertheless, it may be use sodium lamps on rooting of English holly Ilex aquifolium cultivar ful to briefly note the results of other seed germination Silver Variegated Standard. HortScience 19:519-521. research. 8. Goi, M., Y. Nishira, and A. Hasegawa. 1985a. Seed propagation of The difficulty of seed germination of most species has Ilex species native to Japan. 1. Ilex crenata. Kagawa Diacagu Nogakubu Gakujutsu Hokuku 36:95-100. been repeatedly noted in the literature. Bonner (3), for 9. Goi, M., Y. Nishira, and A. Hasegawa. 1985b. Seed propagation of example, has implicated seed coat and embryo dormancies Ilex species native to Japan. 2. Ilex serrata cultivar Dainagon. Kagawa as the primary causes of poor or no germination and rec Diacagu Nogakubu Gakujutsu Hokuku 36:101-106. ommended stratification of seeds in alternating tempera 10. Kramer, P. J. and T. T. Kozlowski. 1979. Physiology of Woody Plants. tures for unspecified time periods. The results of compara Academic Press, New York. 11. Lanphear, F. O. and R. P. Meahl. 1963. Influence of indigenous tive studies by Goi et al. (8, 9) for whole fruit and stratified rooting cofactors and environment on the seasonal fluctuation in cleaned seeds of /. crenata Thunb. (Japanese holly) and /. root initiation of selected evergreen cuttings. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. serrata Thunb. (Japanese winterberry), indicated 88 and Sci. 83:811-818. 40% germinationof stratified seeds but 26 and 4% of 12. Lin, W. C. and J. M. Molnar. 1981. Effects ofcarbon dioxide and mist and high intensity supplementary lighting on selected woody whole fruits, respectively. The review of severalspecies by ornamentals. Can. J. Plant Sci. 61:965-970. Dirr and Heuser (6) clearly indicate the difficulty in germi 13. Livne, A. and Y. Vaadia. 1972. Water deficits and hormone relations. nation of seeds and the need for comprehensive research In: T.T. Kozlowski (ed.); Water Deficits and Plant Growth. Vol. Ill: to determine methods of treatment that would enhance 255-275. Academic Press, New York and London. their rapid and uniform germination. 14. Loach, K. 1977. Leaf water potential and the rooting of cuttings under mist and polythene. Physiol. Plant. 40:191-197. 15. Tilt, K. M. and T. E. Builderback. 1980. Physical properties of prop agation media and their effects on rooting of three woody ornamen tals. HortScience 22:245-247.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101:293-296. 1988.

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS: II. Acer rubrum, Gordonia lasianthus, Magnolia virginiana, and Styrax americana

B. Dehgan, M. Gooch, F. Almira, species root fairly easily, although in some cases, time of year and B. Poole when cuttings are taken has a profound effect on rooting IFAS, University of Florida percentage. Acer rubrum (red maple) may be propagated at Department of Ornamental Horticulture any time of the year when not dormant. Best rooting, how Gainesville, FL 32611 ever, occurs in May and July-September, regardless of IBA treatment. Rooting percentage of Gordonia lasianthus (lob Additional index words. Red maple, loblolly bay, sweetbay, lolly bay) gradually increased from April (60%) to November storax. (100%). Although rooting percentage was not affected, root ing quality was much superior when IBA was used. Magnolia Abstract. To foster greater utilization of native plants in the virginiana (sweet bay), had up to 38% rooting in June when landscape, four species capable of growth in a wide range of treated with IBA alone, but addition of NAA increased the conditions, from wet to relatively dry, are discussed. All four rooting percentage to 65%. The rooting at all times was poor irrespective of treatment. Styrax americana (storax) rooted Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 9536. well all year with only a slightly lower percentage in the This project was supported by a grant from Florida Insistute of Phos winter months. phate Research (Project No. 84-03-053R). The cooperation of Mr. Joel Butler of the W. R. Grace Chemical Company and Mr. John Wester of the Occidental Chemicals is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Dr. Alan Florida is endowed with the richest floristic diversity of Meerow, Brenda Herring, and David Clayton for technical assistance. the 48 contiguous states. Of the 652 native tree species

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101: 1988. 293 listed by Elias (6), nearly two-thirds are indigenous to night. Cuttings were examined weekly for rooting and Florida. Yet only a limited number of native species are final data were collected when at least some cuttings had used in public and private landscapes. Meager knowledge sufficient roots for transplanting. Ratings for root quality of propagation techniques and cultural practices for the and quantity were based on their general appearance and native taxa has effectively thwarted their consideration. are listed in tables as averages for all replications within a For ecological, aesthetic, and economic reasons, accessibil treatment. Only one result is shown in tables when rooting ity of a greater assortment of indigenous plants is advan percentages were nearly the same for consecutive collect tageous and essential. In an attempt to foster greater use ing times. of native plants both in revegetation of disturbed sites and in landscaping, several woody species were considered. Results and Discussion Propagation of hollies has been reported in this issue of the proceedings and four other taxa will be discussed here. Acer rubrum (Table 1), exhibited variation in rooting Considerable research has been performed on propa based on time of year when cuttings were taken and con gation of Acer rubrum L. (red maple) and related species. centration of IBA. The highest rooting (86.67-88%) oc In some of the more recent studies, various unconven curred in cuttings taken on May 2, irrespective of the IBA tional methods have been used to promote rooting of cut concentration. This was followed by a considerable reduc tings. Maynard and Bassuk (9) utilized etiolation and tion in June but a subsequent increase when cuttings were blanching with Velcro adhesive fabric strips to significantly stuck during the months of July-September. With the onset improve rooting of A. griseum (Franch) Pax, A. platanoides of the cooler, drier fall and winter, eventually culminating L. and A. saccarum Marsh. Cuttings of A. saccharinum L., in the dormant season, rooting gradually declined so that and A. griseum rooted up to 100% when treated with a none occurred from December through March. IBA had combination of Catechol (a phenolic compound) and IAA, no significance in root development but was instrumental for 24 hrs. (8). Dirr and Heuser (4) have described the in initiation speed. Plants treated with 5000 ppm IBA appropriate methods for propagation of several Acer rooted faster and had a larger number of roots. These species. results contradict those of Struve and Arnold (12), where Although to our knowledge no one has studied propa cuttings of A. rubrum 'Red Sunset' rooted up to a maximum gation of Magnolia virginiana, the related M. grandiflora has of 70% when treated with 30,000 ppm IBA. The authors been well investigated. Perry and Vines (10) found that noted that concentrations of 10-, 20—, and 40,000 ppm terminal cuttings from young plants treated with 2% were not as effective. Although such high concentrations (20,000 ppm) IBA resulted in significantly better rooting of auxins are far above the accepted standard, morpholog than cuttings from older plants treated with lower concen ical, anatomical, and ecotypic variation may play a role in trations of IBA. Lateral cuttings from older plants rooted rooting response. In this respect, our studies indicate that better than flowering terminal cuttings. Cuttings collected Florida ecotypes of A. rubrum are not difficult to propagate on July 3 and treated with 10,000 ppm IBA and 10,000 from cuttings. ppm NAA rooted 100% when stuck in perlite (3). Good There is probably an annual cyclic production and ex rooting also has been reported for the deciduous Magnolia penditure of hormones and carbohydrates which directly species. Curtis (2), reported satisfactory rooting of M. X influences root initiation in A. rubrum. The reserved car soulangeana cultivars and M. stellata cuttings in 90-120 days bohydrates and endogenous auxins are exhausted by the when cuttings were taken in mid-July and treated with early profuse development of flowers and fruit. This is Hormodine #3 (8,000 ppm IBA). Similar results were ob followed immediately by intense activity of the vegetative tained by Fenicchia (7) for M. X soulaneana and M. quin- buds and expansion of leaves. Rooting percentage is high- quepeta.

Other than a brief mention by Dirr and Heuser (4), Table 1. The effect of time of year and IBA on rooting of Acer rubrum there has been little or no data published for Gordonia L. cuttings. Iasianthus and Styrax americana. Date Date Collection Treatment Mean % Root stuck rated site (ppm) rooting condition2 Materials and Methods 4/09/87 6/08/87 WSy Control 37.33 ±14.36 2.0 Semi-hardwood cuttings of Acer rubrum (red maple), 4/09/87 6/08/87 WS 2,500 57.33±21.33 3.0 Gordonia Iasianthus (L.) Ellis (loblolly bay), Magnolia vir 4/09/87 6/08/87 WS 5,000 45.33 ±23.63 2.0 giniana L. (sweetbay), and Styrax americana Lam. (storax), 5/02/87 7/10/87 WS Control 86.67 ±5.96 5.0 were collected at approximately six week intervals from 5/02/87 7/10/87 WS 2,500 74.67 ±13.60 4.5 the Occidental Chemical Company Mine at White Springs, 5/02/87 7/10/87 WS 5,000 88.00± 10.67 4.5 Hamilton County, and W. R. Grace and Company at 6/10/86 8/5/86 WS Control 30.67 ±20.04 2.0 6/10/86 8/5/86 WS 2,500 40.00 ±24.22 2.5 Bonny Lake and Four Corners Mines, Polk County, 6/10/86 8/5/86 WS 5,000 52.00 ±19.50 3.0 Florida. Five replications of 15 cuttings each were used per 7/30/86 10/8/86 WS Control 66.67 ±20.22 2.5 trial. All cuttings were dipped in 0, 2500, and 5,000 ppm 7/30/86 10/8/86 WS 2,500 81.33± 17.59 3.5 IBA for 5 sec, except for M. virginiana cuttings, which 7/30/86 10/8/86 WS 5,000 78.67 ±25.79 3.5 were treated with a factorial combination of IBA at 2500 9/25/86 11/10/86 WS Control 33.33 ±13.98 2.0 or 5000 ppm for 5 sec, followed by NAA at 1000 or 2000 9/25/86 11/10/86 WS 2,500 66.67 ±23.09 3.0 ppm for 5 sec These were stuck in 1:1 (v:v) mixture of 9/25/86 11/10/86 WS 5,000 73.33±11.16 3.5 perlite and vermiculite and placed randomly under inter z<2: Unacceptable, 2:Inferior, 3:Good-Acceptable, 4:Very Good, 5:Ex- mittent mist of 5 sec/5 min. The propagation greenhouse cellent temperature was maintained at 23 ±5° C day/18 ±2° C = White Springs

294 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101: 1988. Table 2. The effect of time of year and IBA on rooting of Gordonia Table 4. The effect of IBA and NAA on rooting of Magnolia virginiana lasianthus L. Ellis cuttings. L. cuttings.

Date Date Collection Treatment Mean % Root Col- Root stuck rated site (ppm) rooting condition7 Date Date lection Treatment Mean % condi- stuck rated site (ppm) rooting tionz 4/22/87 6/29/87 Control 24.00± 17.18 <2.0 4/22/87 6/29/87 ws 2,500 58.67 ±19.96 3.0 7/31/86 10/15/86 WSy Control 18.33 ±8.16 <2.0 4/22/87 6/29/87 ws 5,000 49.33 ±29.39 2.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 2,500 IBA 38.33± 19.14 <2.0 5/28/87 7/28/87 ws Control 70.67 ±21.75 3.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 5,000 IBA 35.00±20.68 <2.0 5/28/87 7/28/87 ws 2,500 76.00 ±23.32 3.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 1,000 NAA 31.67± 17.80 <2.0 5/28/87 7/28/87 ws 5,000 58.67 ±33.04 3.0 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 2,000 NAA 35.00± 17.00 <2.0 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 2,500 IBA + 1,000 NAA 28.33± 13.54 <2.0 7/30/86 10/10/86 ws Control 72.00 ±13.60 3.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 2,500 IBA+ 2,000 NAA 61.67±17.16 2.5 7/30/86 10/10/86 ws 2,500 89.33 ±9.04 4.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 5,000 IBA + 1,000 NAA 40.00± 13.33 <2.0 7/30/86 10/10/86 ws 5,000 90.67 ±5.33 4.5 7/31/86 10/15/86 WS 5,000 IBA+ 2,000 NAA 65.00± 14.34 2.5 9/25/86 11/10/86 ws Control 58.67 ±15.43 2.5 9/25/86 11/10/86 ws 2,500 98.67 ±2.67 4.0 z<2:Unacceptable, 2:Inferior, 3:Good-Acceptable, 4:Very Good, 5:Excel- 9/25/86 11/10/86 ws 5,000 88.00 ±11.47 3.5 lent 11/25/86 2/23/87 ws Control 97.33 ±5.33 4.5 yWS = White Springs 11/25/86 2/23/87 ws 2,500 100.00 ±0.00 5.0 11/25/86 2/23/87 ws 5,000 100.00 ±0.00 5.0 Presence of actively photosynthesizing leaves and fee ble development of woody tissue, in concert with genetic z<2: Unacceptable, 2:Inferior, 3:Good-Acceptable, 4:Very Good, 5:Ex- cellent potential for initiation of root primordia are most likely y\VS = White Springs responsible for rapid root emergence. As is the case with most plants, the lowest rooting occurs during the flowering est at this time (mid-April to May) because levels of en season (April through June). In contrast, the highest root dogenous auxins are high. These become exhausted once ing occurred during a period of least active growth when again by the expanding leaves. During the summer the food reserve and endogenous auxins are at a peak. months, however, both auxins and carbohydrates are re Magnolia virginiana — Vegetative and seed propagation plenished, hence the rise in rooting. This hypothesis is sup of magnolias are known to be difficult. As indicated in ported by Spellerberg's (11) study in which the best rooting Tables 3 and 4, the effect of time of year when cuttings of A. palmatum Thunb. 'Atropurpureum' was obtained are taken is paramount on their rooting capacity. The when plants were forced into active growth prior to taking highest rooting occurred in July (65%), when cuttings were cuttings. Similarly, Chalupa (1) had a high rooting percent treated with 5,000 ppm IBA, followed by 2,000 ppm NAA, age of A. pseudoplatanus L. when cuttings were taken from each for 5 seconds (Table 4). Cuttings treated with IBA plants which were young or treated with GA3 (a growth alone had 38% rooting (Table 4). The potential for root stimulator). initiation is indicated in the control where 18.33% of the Gordonia lasianthus — Perhaps one of the most attrac cuttings also rooted. In contrast, none of the trials during tive native evergreen trees, this species is surprisingly easy winter months were successful. Although for commercial to propagate. Table 2 gives the rooting percentages for production purposes 65% rooting is considered acceptable, this plant throughout the year. Auxin treatments were more research with species of Magnolia is needed to deter generally necessary for rapid root initiation and develop mine, with greater precision, the best time of year and ment of greater number of roots. Most cuttings rooted appropriate treatments for promotion of root initiation within the first two weeks when dipped in IBA, but un and elongation. It is interesting to note that the cuttings treated cuttings rooted much later, although little or no for this experiment were taken from large mature trees. effect was observed on root quality. Some inhibition was Accordingly, these results somewhat contradict the asser apparent with 5000 ppm IBA. These results agree with tion by Dirr and Heuser (1987), that cuttings from mature high rooting percentages reported by Dirr and Heuser (4). trees are not easily rooted. Styrax americana — A very attractive but infrequently used plant, storax can be propagated without difficulty Table 3. The effect of time of year and IBA on rooting of Magnolia throughout the year (Table 5). The number of cuttings virginiana L. cuttings. that root insignificantly decrease in late fall and winter months. Application of IBA was most effective in March Date Date Collection Treatment Mean % Root stuck rated site (ppm) rooting condition2 and to some extent in October, indicating a low supply of endogenous auxins during active growth and flowering. 3/5/87 4/12/87 WSy Control 0.00 ±0.00 <2.0 The best root quality was found later in the season, from 3/5/87 4/12/87 WS 2,500 9.33 ±9.04 <2.0 April to July. These results agree with Dirr's findings (4). 3/5/87 4/12/87 ws 5,000 5.33 ±10.67 <2.0 The unexpected success of this species is somewhat sur 6/11/86 7/28/86 ws Control 2.67 ±3.27 <2.0 6/11/86 7/28/86 ws 2,500 33.33 ± 11.93 <2.0 prising. At least superficially, the woodiness of the stem 6/11/86 7/28/86 ws 5,000 34.67 ±19.50 <2.0 and the coriaceous leaves give the false impression of a 9/25/86 12/29/86 ws Control 0.00 ±0.00 <2.0 difficult to root plant. In fact even flowering has little ef 9/25/86 12/29/86 ws 2,500 28.00 ±20.40 <2.0 fect on its rooting capacity. According to Dirr and Heuser 9/25/86 12/29/86 ws 5,000 14.67 ±10.67 <2.0 (4), seeds also can be germinated without difficulty after three months of stratification. z<2:Unacceptable, 2:Inferior, 3:Good-Acceptable, 4:Very Good, 5:Excel- lent All four species discussed in this paper are primarily yWS = White Springs adapted to wet sites. They are also frequently seen in sea-

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101: 1988. 295 Table 5. The effect of time of year and IBA on rooting ofStyrax americana growing without irrigation on a phosphate mine site in Lam. cuttings. Bartow, Florida.

Col Root Date Date lection Treatment Mean % condi Literature Cited stuck rated site (ppm) rooting tion7 1. Chalupa, V. 1982. Vegetative propagation of broad-leaved trees by 3/27/86 5/6/86 FCMy Control 53.33± 18.86 <2.0 cuttings. Lesnictivi (Prague) 28:21-30. 3/27/86 5/6/86 FCM 2,500 68.00± 20.83 2.0 2. Curtis, B. 1981. Magnolia propagation. Inter. Plant Prop. Soc. Proc. 3/27/86 5/6/86 FCM 5,000 81.33±11.47 2.5 31:619-620. 3. Dirr, M. A. 1986. Successful cutting propagation, overwintering and 4/23/87 6/2/87 FCM Control 90.67 ±15.55 3.5 containerization of Magnolia grandiflora L. 'Bracken's Brown Beauty'. 4/23/87 6/2/87 FCM 2,500 85.33± 15.43 4.0 Proc. S.N.A. Res. Conf. 31:200-203. 4/23/87 6/2/87 FCM 5,000 84.00 ± 11.62 3.0 4. Dirr, M. A. and C. W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. The Reference Manual of 5/8/86 7/10/86 FCM Control 84.00 ±11.62 3.0 Woody Plant Propagation. Varsity Press, Inc. Athens, Georgia. 5/8/86 7/10/86 FCM 2,500 80.00 ±23.85 3.5 5. Dirr, M. A. and B. Brinson. 1985. Magnolia grandiflora: A propaga 5/8/86 7/10/86 FCM 5,000 90.67 ±6.80 4.0 tion guide. American Nurseryman 162:38-50. 7/21/86 10/8/86 FCM Control 81.33± 14.85 3.5 6. Elias, T. S. 1980. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nos- 7/21/86 10/8/86 FCM 2,500 77.33 ±20.48 3.5 trand Reinhold Company. New York. 7/21/86 10/8/86 FCM 5,000 73.33 ±27.00 3.0 7. Fenicchia, R. D. 1978. Propagation of magnolias by softwood cut tings. Inter. Plant Prop. Soc. Proc. 28:570-571. 10/27/86 2/20/87 FCM Control 26.67 ±11.93 <2.0 8. Kling, G. J. and M. M. Meyer. 1983. Effect of phenolic compounds 10/27/86 2/20/87 FCM 2,500 62.67 ±18.67 2.0 and IAA on adventitious root initiation in cuttings of Phaseolus aureus, 10/27/86 2/20/87 FCM 5,000 62.67 ±9.04 2.0 Acer saccarinum, and Acer griseum. HortScience 18:352-354. 9. Maynard, B. K. and N. L. Bassuk. 1987. Stock plant etiolation and x<2:Unacceptable, 2:Inferior, 3:Good-Acceptable, 4:Very Good, 5:Excel lent blanching of woody plants prior to cutting propagation. J. Amer. Soc. Hon. Sci. 112:273-276. yFCM = Four Corners Mine 10. Perry, F. B. and H. M. Vines. 1972. Propagation of Magnolia grandif lora (L.) cuttings as related to age and growth regulators. J. Amer. sonally dry or well-drained areas. Such wide tolerance of Soc. Hort. Sci. 97:753-756. varying habitats is not unusual for Florida native plants 11. Spellerberg, B. 1986. Improved propagation of difficult-to-root de and, is in fact of common occurrence. However, the notion ciduous ornamental shrubs. II. Effect of date of sticking and growth stimulating treatments on bud burst and overwintering of rooted that native plants thrive with little or no care must be dis cuttings. Gartenbauwissenchaft 51:159-165. carded. All plants require some initial care regardless of 12. Struve, D. K. and M. A. Arnold. 1986. Aryl esters of IBA increase their origin and must be irrigated when planted in the rooted cutting quality of red maple. HortScience 21:1329-1393. landscape. Nevertheless, all species mentioned here are

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101:296-298. 1988.

PROPAGATION OF WEST INDIES, HONDURAN AND HYBRID MAHOGANIES BY CUTTINGS, COMPARED WITH SEED PROPAGATION

F. W. Howard, S. D. Verkade tings will be useful for clonal propagation and as a research and J. D. DeFilippis tool for tree improvement. IFAS, University of Florida 3205 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 West Indies mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni (L.). Jac quin) (Meliaceae) is native to southern Florida, the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles except Puerto Rico. Additional key words. Swietenia, Meliaceae, vegetative prop Originally the source of the premier cabinetwood, West agation, tree improvement. Indies mahogany has been largely replaced in world timber trade by Honduran mahogany (S. macrophylla King) Abstract. Propagation of mahoganies by cuttings is reported. (4). West Indies mahogany remains an important shade The inclusion of older growth in the cuttings was apparently tree in southern Florida (5) and many places in the tropics important in obtaining successful root production. Success and has excellent qualities for reforestation of certain sites rates were 67.7% for West Indies mahogany {Swietenia in the Caribbean (4). Mahoganies are susceptible to a mahagoni (L.) Jacquin), 33.3% for Honduran mahogany number of insect pests (4,5) and we wish to investigate (5. macrophylla King) and 5.6% for a 5. macrophylla X 5. cultivar selection as a possible means of managing these mahagoni hybrid. The survival and growth of cuttings potted pests. A vegetative propagation technique for mahoganies in a soil medium was satisfactory. However, for both species is needed for this line of research. A great deal of informa seed propagation was far easier and the percentage of seed tion is available concerning seed propagation of germination was higher than the percentage of cuttings that mahoganies (1). Vegetative propagation of mahoganies has rooted. West Indies mahogany seedlings grew faster than cut been reported only by Chinte (2), who stated that 17-36% tings. Seed propagation remains the preferred method for of his cuttings of Honduran mahoganies survived after nursery production of mahoganies, while propagation by cut- 2J/2 months, but gave no information on his methods. We recently reported that through trial and error we Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 9448. had found a method of propagating West Indies

296 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101: 1988.