LOCATION IN CANOPY OF THE STOCK PLANT AFFECTS ROOTING AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH IN CUTTING PROPAGATION OF ROSES

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate rooting and subsequent growth as affected by location in the canopy of the stock plant for cutting propagation of cut roses (Rosa hybrida Hort.) 'Pink Mimi' and 'Free Sun'. Cuttings were prepared as single node cuttings, each with a five-leaflet leaf and were stuck in rockwool cubes. Effect of location in the canopy of the flowering stem on cutting propagation revealed that rooting value was equal or higher than 78.4% in both cultivars regardless of location in the canopy of the flowering stem. In 'Pink Mimi', there were little differences in growth as affected by location in the canopy of the flowering stem. In 'Free Sun', length of the shoot and the longest root, and fresh and dry weights of the shoot increased, while chlorophyll content, and fresh and dry weights of the stem decreased, in the cuttings harvested from the central area of the canopy in comparison with those from the marginal area of the canopy. These results suggest that shoot growth of rooted cuttings was significantly affected by location in the canopy of the stock plant, and additional research is needed to reveal the effect of location in the canopy of the stock plant in more cultivars.