Abstract

In 1988, spray applications of 3.5 or 7 ppm paclobutrazol, 1500 ppm chlormequat, or 200 ppm ancymidol were applied to seed geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum L. H. Bailey ‘Ringo White’ and ‘Ringo Rose’) to determine effects on growth in the greenhouse and the subsequent growth and performance of treated plants in the landscape. All growth retardants reduced stem length and shoot dry weight as well as time required for flowering, while branching was increased relative to the untreated plants. Flowering in the landscape was increased by all growth regulator treatments at 4 weeks after planting but was generally not different from the untreated plants at 6 weeks after planting. Plant height and width were reduced by all treatments for both cultivars, relative to untreated plants, at 4 weeks after planting. However, only 7 ppm paclobutrazol reduced height and width of ‘Ringo White’ plants at 6 weeks after planting. Plant height, but not width, was reduced by all treatments for ‘Ringo Rose’ at 6 weeks after planting.

In 1989, seedlings of ‘Ringo Rose’ were treated with 3.5, 7, 16, 40, or 80 ppm paclobutrazol or 1500 ppm chlormequat or 200 ppm ancymidol. Seedling growth was excessively reduced by 40 or 80 ppm paclobutrazol. Time required for flowering was not reduced by growth regulators in 1989. Landscape performance under conditions of excess rain was not improved by plant growth regulators and the height of plants treated with 16, 40 or 80 ppm paclobutrazol was still less than that of the untreated plants at 12 weeks after planting. Only chlormequat controlled plant growth in the greenhouse without delaying the resumption of growth in the landscape.