SUPPLEMENTAL IRRADIANCE AND STS IMPROVE THE DISPLAY LIFE OF DICENTRA SPECIES FORCED AS FLOWERING POTTED PLANTS

During the display life of potted plants of three Dicentra species (Di centra eximia, Dicentra formosa, and Dicentra spectabilis), more flowe rs opened if the plants were treated before harvest with the anionic s ilver thiosulfate complex (STS). This increase in flower number result ed in a 75% increase in the display life of D. eximia (to 14 days) and a 65% increase in display life of D. formosa (to 28 days). A similar effect was achieved by producing the plants under supplementary irradi ance, which also increased plant height and decreased production time. Height of D. spectabilis could be controlled by application of damino zide, and this regulator had no effect on forcing time, flower number or display life of the plants.