Modelling Visual Quality of Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana: Influence of Cultivar and Pot Size

Abstract

An explanatory model for predicting kalanchoe plant height and cropping duration has been developed for one cultivar and one pot size, as described in earlier papers. In two experiments (winter and summer) seven contrasting cultivars ('Anatole', 'Debbie', 'Delia', 'Mie', 'Pandora', 'Tenorio' and 'Toleda') and two pot sizes (7 and 10.5 cm) were analysed to make this model more generally applicable. The studied cultivars showed a strong variation in plant height (10.2 to 29.2 cm) and reaction time (55 to 64 days, from start of short-day period until harvest) when grown under the same conditions (values provided are for summer cultivation in 10.5 cm pots). The effect of pot size on plant height was closely related to the cultivation practices, which already corresponded to model input parameters. For instance, smaller pots resulted in shorter plants but this was due to a lower initial number of internodes and a reduced duration of long-day period. Additionally, growing plants in smaller pots resulted in a longer reaction time especially during winter (on average 8 days delay). The framework of the explanatory model previously developed for 'Anatole' grown in 10.5 cm pots was successfully adapted to other kalanchoe cultivars and pot sizes. It was concluded that when implementing this dynamic model to predict plant height and reaction time for different cultivars in different climate conditions, only few parameters have to be quantified and compared to the reference cultivar at one light and temperature condition.

Growth, flowering and presentability of potted azaleas as influenced by pot size and cultivars

“…The quantitative difference in the time taken for induction of reproductive buds and flowering as well can be ascribed to the differential flowering behaviour of the cultivars due to the obvious variability in their genotypic makeup which has got further widening as a consequence of capacity of the pots of varying sizes. These results get the support from the earlier findings of Carvalho et al, (2008) in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Vernieri et al, (2003) in sunflower.…”

“…Pink Tamma which was further influenced by growing in larger size containers. Similar results have been reported by Carvalho et al (2008).…”

“…White Bouquet have produced more number of shoots and laterals which later on become reproductive as a consequence of its inherent capacity particularly when its plants were grown in the larger size pots in comparison to all other cultivars tested. Similar findings have also been documented by Carvalho et al (2008).…”

“…'Royalty' have exhibited more genetic vigour in general and particularly when its plants were grown in the larger size pots in comparison to all other cultivars tested. Similar findings have been by Carvalho et al (2008) in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.…”

“…'White Bouquet' have exhibited its capacity to develop more shoots/laterals per plant comparatively as a consequence of its better genetic makeup especially when grown in the larger size pots. Similar findings have been by Carvalho et al, (2008) in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Goreta et al (2008) in Poinsettia.…”