Abstract

Terminal stem cuttings of ‘Brown Velvet’ Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L. ‘Brown Velvet’) were treated with 0.3% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in talc, or 0.5% naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) quick dip + 0.3% IBA in talc, or 0.5% NAA + 1.0% IB A quick dip. Rooting media included pine bark, perlite, or combinations of bark and perlite at the following ratios: 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 (by vol). Cuttings were rooted in a greenhouse mist bed supplied with bottom heat. Rooting percentage was unaffected by media with the exception of a decreased response in perlite. Root length and secondary root formation was greater with pine bark than with perlite, while the bark/perlite blends provided an intermediate response. Increased auxin concentrations produced more primary roots but reduced formation of secondary roots. However, rooting percentage was not affected by auxin treatment. Results suggest that medium selection is more important than auxin source or delivery method in the rooting of ‘Brown Velvet’ Southern magnolia.