Native Plants Journal - Article
Mist interval and K-IBA concentration influence rooting of orange and mountain azaela
Abstract:
Using a Mississippi source of orange (Rhododendron austrinum (Small) Rehd. [Ericaceae]) and mountain (Rhododendron canescens (Michx.) Sweet) azalea, we found that treating terminal softwood cuttings with 10 000 ppm K-IBA yielded the best rooting performance in terms of root number, length, and quality when misted 4 s every 6 min (4 s:6 min). Rooting percentage of orange and mountain azalea was similar from 0 to 10 000 ppm K-IBA. For orange azalea, cuttings treated with 7500 ppm K-IBA had more roots compared with plants treated with 0 ppm K-IBA. Cuttings treated with 7500 or 10 000 ppm K-IBA had greater average root length and higher root quality compared with the control. Cuttings placed under mist for 4 s:6 min had more roots compared with cuttings placed under mist for 4 s:12 min. For mountain azalea, cuttings treated with 10 000 K-IBA had more roots, greater average root length, and higher root quality compared with cuttings treated with 0 ppm K-IBA. Cutting growth was greater under 4 s:6 min than 4 s:12 min. Although information on vegetative propagation of native azaleas is limited, and other cultural practices may affect misting interval and K-IBA concentrations, these results should help growers produce more plants for market until additional discoveries are made.
Issue & Pages:
Summer 2005 Pages: 111-117
Article Download:
6-2NPJ111-117.pdf
(PDF document)
Authors:
- Patricia R Knight
- Christine H Coker
- John M Anderson
- Deborah S Murchison
- Clarence E Watson
Keywords:
Rhododendron austrinum, Rhododendron canescens, Ericaceae, native plant, cutting propagation, auxin, [potassium salt] indole-3-butyric acid, IBA, K-IBA
