Abstract
Gynura aurantiaca is a colorful foliage plant with velvety purple hairs that cover the green leaves and stems. However, its malodorous flowers and tendency towards a leggy appearance have been key limitations to its production and use for interiorscaping. This study was undertaken to determine if plant growth regulators could suppress its flowering and excessive growth, while improving its overall quality. A-Rest (ancymidol), B-Nine (daminozide), Bonzi (paclobutrazol), Cycocel (chlormequat chloride), and Florel (ethephon) were applied as foliar sprays in two applications in March at a two-week interval. Florel completely inhibited flowering but A-Rest, B-Nine, Bonzi, and Cycocel were ineffective in suppressing flowering. Florel-treated plants also produced more lateral shoots resulting in a compact and dense bush-like appearance, which improved and prolonged the aesthetic value of Gynura as a container-grown or hanging-basket interior plant. Whereas, plants treated by A-Rest, B-Nine, Bonzi, or Cycocel exhibited little improvement in their appearance compared to the control; some treatments were even detrimental. Regardless of application concentrations, subsequent growth of plants after pruning or rooting of cuttings was not affected by previous treatments of growth regulators.
Author notes
This research was supported by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and approved for publication as Journal Series No. R-08760. Authors thank Ms. Kelly Everitt for critical reading of this manuscript. Products should be used according to label instructions and safety equipment required on the label and by federal or state law should be employed.
2Assistant Professor, Professor, and Biological Scientist, respectively.