Effect of Rootstock on Rooting and Early Yield of Stenting-propagated Cut Roses

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of rootstock on growth and early yield of stenting-propagated cut roses (Rosa hybrida Hort.) 'Pink Aurora' and 'Yellow King'. The scions, prepared as single-node cuttings, each with a five-leaflet leaf, were grafted onto cuttings of Rosa indica 'Major', Rosa multiflora 'Chille Wonye No. 1', Rosa multiflora 'K-1', or Rosa multiflora 'Burr' as the rootstock. The rootstock cuttings were removed of all leaves and buds before grafting. The base of scion and the top of rootstock were held together and simultaneously cut at a 45 angle for ease of grafting. Scion-rootstock unions were stuck in rockwool cubes and placed on a misted glasshouse bench for rooting before being transplanted into a rockwool slabs for cultivation. Rooting was the greatest in the 'Pink Aurora' and 'Yellow King' grafted on the rootstock Rosa idica 'Major'. In 'Pink Aurora', stem length, stem diameter, five-leaflet leaves per stem, and stem fresh weight of the harvested cut flowers were not affected by the rootstock. The greatest total yield of 'Pink Aurora' was obtained in plants grafted onto the Rosa indica 'Major' rootstock. Overall growth of 'Yellow King' was the greatest in plants grafted onto Rosa multiflora 'Burr' rootstock, although total yield was not affected by the rootstock. These results suggest that Rosa indica 'Major' is the most effective rootstock not only for rooting, but also for early yield and growth for stenting propagation of these cut roses.