This review summarizes data on the development of varieties in historic gardens of the once very popular Ox-eyes (Heliopsis Pers., Asteraceae: Zinniinae) a er the mid 19 th century, with regard to the development of varietal assortments in the periods corresponding to the most important architectural styles and to their fl uctuating popularity. Old varietal assortments, usually derived from large-fl owered H. helianthoides var. scabra, now rapidly disappear and the oldest varieties, including the once famous Lemoine's selections, are virtually inaccessible. Until recently the most propagated Götz's and Förster's varieties also disappear and are replaced by modern, relatively smallfl owered selections delivered from H. helianthoides var. helianthoides or patent protected variegated varieties. Neither of these groups, however, is applicable to the restoration of historic gardens. Tables show data on the origin of about eighty both still cultivated and vanished varieties.

In a pot experiment, an early-flowering Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. ‘Dutch Master’ (DM) and late-flowering N. poeticus cultural form (PO) were examined. The photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE), relative chlorophyll content (CCI) and chlorophyll fluorescence (F) were measured regularly. Leaf length, scape length and weight of the plant organs were also measured. The DM cultivar had higher gs and lower E values than the PO on most measuring dates (season average: gs: DM: 165.34, PO: 123.63; E: DM: 1.39, PO: 1.78 mmol H2O m−2s−1). The A curve was similar for the two taxa, except for the first measuring dates. The basic F values (F0, Fm, Fv) for DM were lower and CCI values were higher than for PO (season average of CCI: DM: 94.82, PO: 60.34). The Fm/F0, Fv/F0 and CCI curves were well described by a second order equation. The seasonal change of F and CCI values was the greatest for both taxa near the leaf tip. Bulb growth occurred in the two taxa in approximately the same calendar period, regardless of flowering time. A significant part of the leaf growth in DM occurred after flowering, while the leaves of PO reached their mature size by flowering.

The responses of six saffl ower varieties (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to chlormequat and paclobutrazol treatments were monitored. Although a chlormequat application did not bring about any signifi cant diff erences in fl owering or morphological traits, plants treated with paclobutrazol were shorter and had a higher number of fl ower heads. However, contrary to expectations, treatment by paclobutrazol also made fl owering earlier. This does not appear to support the idea that saffl ower is a typical long-day plant, progressing to fl oral induction and stem elongation a er vernalization in the winter at the leaf-rosette stage).

UHER, J.: Sanvitalia speciosa in the horticultural trade: uknown origin, uncertain identity but no Sanvitalia. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2012, LX, No. 6, pp. 339-342 Sanvitalia speciosa is a widespread but apparently invalid name used in the horticultural trade for a delicate plant of unknown origin which was introduced to cultivation nineteen years ago. A number of morphological characters on this is uncommon in the subtribe Zinniinae and suggest that the plant really belongs to the genus Melampodium. In the genus Melampodium, the cultivated plants obviously belongs to the section Rhizomaria, but their identity remain uncertain: the plants seem to be close to M. montanum BENTH. but a number of characters that are unusual in this species has been recorded. Melampodium, Sanvitalia of gardens, varieties, taxonomy Address doc. Ing. Jiří Uher, Ph.D., Ústav zelinářství a květinářství, Mendelova univerzita v Brně, Lednice, Valtická 337

The Narcissus poeticus (L.) species stands out from other narcissus due to its unique ornamental and sensory values. In our experiment, the flowers of N. poeticus were harvested at five different stages. After cutting, the plants were placed directly at room temperature or at 4 °C for 1 week. The opening status of the flowers was recorded every 12 h, and based on this, the ornamental value of the flowers was calculated. Additionally, the flower diameter, the scape and flower weight, the dry matter content, the water soluble K, Ca, and Mg content of the plant parts, and the chlorophyll content of the scapes were measured. The complete senescence of the stored flowers was noted to be earlier (after 6.6–7.5 days) than that of the fresh flowers (7.5–8.5 days) and depended on the bud stage at harvest. Flowers opened from all the buds, but the flower size was smaller in the early developmental harvest stage (a 10 mm reduction in diameter and a 0.38 g reduction in fresh weight between the green bud and the large white bud harvest stages). Cold storage delayed further bud development and reduced the flower size in several cases, but it increased the maximum decorative value of the flowers for those flowers that had been harvested as big white buds.