DCPTA ENHANCES GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF HELICONIAS

Heliconia stricta Huber 'Dwarf Jamaican' were grown in 10-liter contai ners under full sun or 50 % shade for 1 year, and H. caribaea Lamarck 'Purpurea' were grown in an open field for 2.5 years. Rhizomes were so aked for 1 hour before planting or plants were sprayed with 30 muM DCP TA after two leaves had emerged. Heliconia stricta grown under full su n produced more inflorescences than those grown under 50% shade, and D CPTA-treated plants grown under shade produced more pseudostems and we re taller than control plants. DCPTA-treated H. caribaea produced more pseudostems per plant than control plants during their first year, bu t differences in the number of pseudostems and inflorescences during s ubsequent years were not significant. Chemical name used: 2-(3,4-dichl orophenoxy)triethylamine (DCPTA).