THE INFLUENCE OF 5 GROWTH-RETARDANTS ON GROWTH AND POSTPRODUCTION QUALITIES OF OSTEOSPERMUM-ECKLONIS CV CALYPSO

Flurprimidol and uniconazole can be used to restrict shoot elongation in Osteospermum ecklonis. Optimal plant compactness was achieved with 8 ppm uniconazole and with 45 ppm flurprimidol. Plants treated with th ese concentrations had a slightly increased production time, maximal p roduction of flowers and minimal reduction of flower diameter. Paclobu trazol was not phytotoxic, but the concentrations used were suboptimal ; Osteospermum responded to increased concentrations by increased comp actness, flowering and flower diameter. Daminozide cannot be recommend ed for retardation of Osteospermum, because the plants responded to in creased daminozide concentrations with heterogeneous growth and phytot oxicity of the leaves.