Abstract

Ilex x meserveae ‘China Girl’ plants were sprayed with a single application of different rates of Cutless (flurprimidol) during container production. Growth index, shoot length and shoot dry weight decreased with increasing rates of Cutless. Growth index of plants treated with 500 ppm Cutless was about 17% less than that of control plants 120 days after treatment, but were similar after the spring flush the following year. Growth inhibition persisted for at least two growing seasons when plants were treated with rates of 1500 to 2500 ppm; foliage of these plants was smaller and more cupped than that of control plants. Treated plants were noticeably more compact and uniform, and foliage was darker green than that of control plants.