Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2005 Aspects of production for Clerodendrum as potted flowering plants Annina Delaune Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Recommended Citation Delaune, Annina, "Aspects of production for Clerodendrum as potted flowering plants" (2005). LSU Master's Theses. 174. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/174 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ASPECTS OF PRODUCTION FOR CLERODENDRUM AS POTTED FLOWERING PLANTS A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in The Department of Horticulture Annina Delaune B.S. University of Tennessee, 1969 May 2005 Acknowledgements I wish to thank my family, especially my husband, for helping and encouraging me throughout my pursuit of this degree. Many thanks to Dr. Jeff Kuehny for his support and dedication. Also, Dr. Charles E. Johnson, who is on my committee, was always ready to help me and assure me of my ability to succeed as a non-traditional student. I would also like to thank my brother, Dr. Karl M. Barth, emeritus professor of animal science, for helping me always focus on the big picture in pursuing an advanced degree. Patricia Branch, Research Associate, helped me tremendously in the greenhouse with her vast knowledge of greenhouse practices. Dr. Edward Bush is also to be thanked for his service on my committee. Thanks also to my daughter, Kelly Ebey, for help in organizing, formatting and proofreading my thesis. Many other members of the Horticulture Department have helped me in the past two and one-half years to achieve this dream that started for me after high school and had to be put on hold until now. ii Table of Contents Acknowledgements............................................................................................................. ii Abstract.............................................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and Literature Review.......................................................................... 1 1.2 Plant Growth Regulation........................................................................................... 6 1.3 Growth Retardants .................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Photoperiodism ......................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Post-production....................................................................................................... 10 1.6 References............................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2. Preliminary PGR Study................................................................................... 14 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 14 2.2 Materials and Methods............................................................................................ 15 2.3 Results..................................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Discussion............................................................................................................... 21 2.5 References............................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3. PGR Study on Clerodendrum ugandense ....................................................... 23 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Materials and Methods............................................................................................ 24 3.3 Results..................................................................................................................... 25 3.4 Discussion............................................................................................................... 28 3.5 References............................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 4. PGR Study on C. ugandense and C. bungei and Post-production .................. 31 4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 31 4.2 Materials and Methods............................................................................................ 32 4.3 Results..................................................................................................................... 34 4.4 Discussion............................................................................................................... 39 4.5 References............................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 5. Gibberellic Acid and Ancymidol Treatments for C. thomsoniae Grown around a Hoop............................................................................................................................... 41 5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 41 5.2 Materials and Methods............................................................................................ 42 5.3 Results..................................................................................................................... 43 5.4 Discussion............................................................................................................... 46 5.5 References............................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 6. Photoperiodism of Three Species of Clerodendrum....................................... 48 6.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 48 6.2 Materials and Methods............................................................................................ 49 iii 6.3 Results..................................................................................................................... 50 6.4 Discussion............................................................................................................... 53 6.5 References............................................................................................................... 54 Chapter 7. Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 55 Vita.................................................................................................................................... 57 iv Abstract The effect of growth regulators gibberellic acid (Pro-Gibb™), daminozide (B- Nine™), ancymidol (A-Rest™) and paclobutrazol (Bonzi™) were evaluated on species of Clerodendrum grown as flowering pot plants. Studies on photoperiod and post- production longevity were also included. Experiments were conducted on C. bungei, C. thomsoniae, C. ugandense, C. phillippinum, C. paniculata and C. speciosissimum in polycarbonate greenhouses. For C. thomsoniae the best growth control was achieved by applying paclobutrazol and ancymidol drench at a rate of 1.0 mg a.i. /pot. For C. ugandense, the most appropriate application rate of PGR was paclobutrazol drench at 5 to 15 mg a.i./pot. C. bungei did not respond significantly to either daminozide or paclobutrazol treatments compared to control. Based on the visual quality rating, C. bungei were acceptable as marketable plants until day 7, and C. ugandense were acceptable as marketable plants until day 5. Neither daminozide nor paclobutrazol had any effect on C. bungei quality ratings in post- production. In C. ugandense, however, there were significant differences in post- production when comparing the daminozide and the paclobutrazol treatments. On day 5, 7 and 11, the paclobutrazol treated plants had significantly lower quality ratings compared to control and compared to those treated with daminozide. It appears that the paclobutrazol treatment may produce a quality plant, but has a negative effect on post- production longevity. v Gibberellic acid at 10 ppm was considered the best rate and most economical rate for promoting optimum vegetative growth of C. thomsoniae to sufficiently cover a round support hoop. C. speciosissimum, C. phillippinum, C. paniculata and C. speciosissimum were determined to be long day plants (12-h photoperiod or longer). Height of C. paniculata and C. speciosissimum was significantly increased by the 12 or 16-h photoperiod. vi Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Introduction and Literature Review The genus Clerodendrum has a wide variety of traits that make it a good candidate for a new crop for the floriculture industry. Characteristics of these plants that