ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF THE RHIZOME OF ALSTROEMERIA AS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE AND THE ROOT-SYSTEM

The effects of temperature and the root system on growth and establish ment were assessed for rhizomes of three Alstroemeria cultivars. The n umbers of lateral rhizomes, aerial shoots and tubers produced by rhizo me 'splits' were not significantly affected by increase in temperature in the range of 8 to 18-degrees-C. Significant increases in root syst em and rhizome dry weight were seen for cv. Butterfly and in aerial sh oot dry weight for all three cultivars used. Increasing temperature si gnificantly decreased the number of plants establishing from rhizome ' splits' obtained from plants grown in glasshouse soil. For maximum rhi zome production a temperature of between 13 and 18-degrees-C was found to be required. A second experiment employing rhizome 'splits' from c ontainer-grown plants showed no effect of temperature on plant establi shment. The presence or absence of the rootsystem on the 'splits' at p lanting was found to be important in plant establishment, with removal of the root system producing a significant decrease in the number of plants establishing. It is suggested that the rootsystem, and damage s ustained by it prior to planting, are more important than temperature for the successful establishment of plants of Alstroemeria.