Effects of Planting Date and Environment on the Cut Flower Production of Santonia 'Golden Lights'

Abstract

The effects of two growing environments (a glasshouse and a sheltered outdoor site) and four planting dates (11 October and 22 November 2000, 3 January and 14 February 2001) on the cut flower production of Santonia 'Golden Lights' were assessed. Stem length, stem strength, flower colour and tuber weight were affected by growing environment and planting date. Stem length on outdoor grown plants was reduced by 280 mm, stem strength was improved and there was some reddening of flowers, but the number of flowers/stem was not affected. Results suggest that when Santonia is grown under suitable environmental conditions, stems that are acceptable as cut flowers can be produced.

Intergeneric hybridization among colchicaceous ornamentals, Gloriosa spp., Littonia modesta and Sandersonia aurantiaca via ovule culture

“…The results obtained in our series of studies and the previous reports on production and characterization of Santonia 'Golden Lights', an intergeneric hybrid cultivar of SauϫLit (Eason et al 2001;Morgan et al 2001Morgan et al , 2003Clark et al 2005;Burge et al 2008) indicate that intergeneric hybridization may be an useful means for producing novel cultivars in colchicaceous ornamentals. Since some morphological characteristics were affected by growing environment, planting season and tuber size in Santonia 'Golden Lights' (Morgan et al 2003;Clark et al 2005), further characterization of our intergeneric hybrids should be performed using tubers with different sizes under various culture conditions.…”

“…All the hybrids produced flowers in mid-June, whereas Lit and Sau did in mid-June and early June, respectively. The hybrids generally resemble Santonia 'Golden Lights', a hybrid cultivar of SauϫLit, in plant form and leaf and flower morphologies (Eason et al 2001;Morgan et al 2001Morgan et al , 2003Clark et al 2005;Burge et al 2008). The hybrids showed a climbing habit and had sessile leaves with leaf tip tendrils.…”

“…In colchicaceous ornamentals, intergeneric hybridization has recently been performed for widening the variability in horticultural traits: Santonia 'Golden Lights', an intergeneric hybrid cultivar of S. aurantiacaϫL. modesta, was developed via ovule culture (Eason et al 2001;Morgan et al 2001Morgan et al , 2003Clark et al 2005;Burge et al 2008); intergeneric hybrids between S. aurantiaca and Gloriosa spp. were also produced via ovule culture Burge et al 2008).…”

Morphological Characterization of Three Intergeneric Hybrids Among Gloriosa superba ‘Lutea’, Littonia modesta, and Sandersonia aurantiaca (Colchicaceae)

“…This cultivar has long stems and leaves with an apical tendril similar to L. modesta, but leaf and flower morphologies are intermediate between the parents. Flower color of Santonia 'Golden Light' is orange like both parents, although flowers often redden under cooler environments (Clark et al, 2005;Eason et al, 2001;Morgan et al, 2003).…”

“…Broad hybridization has been performed for widening the variability in horticultural traits of colchicaceous ornamentals mentioned previously. Santonia 'Golden Light', an intergeneric hybrid cultivar of S. aurantiaca • L. modesta, has already been developed through ovule culture (Clark et al, 2005;Eason et al, 2001;Morgan et al, 2001Morgan et al, , 2003. This cultivar has long stems and leaves with an apical tendril similar to L. modesta, but leaf and flower morphologies are intermediate between the parents.…”