FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF COLEONEMA-ASPALATHOIDES

Optimal conditions for induction of flowering in Coleonema aspalathoid es, commonly known as Diosma, are a temperature regime of 12/17-degree s-C (night/day) and a short photo-period. In plants held under long-da y conditions, or exposed to raised temperatures, flowering competence declined. The above conditions had normally an opposite effect on grow th so that growth was found to decline before flower buds appeared. Fl owering could be delayed by the early transfer of plants from inductiv e conditions (short day, 12/17-degrees-C (night/day)) to non-inductive conditions (long day, 22/27-degrees-C (night/day)), the late transfer of plants from semi-inductive (long day, natural winter temperature) to inductive conditions, and the shading of plants. Flowering was not affected by removal of flower buds or exposure of only part of the pla nt to semi-inductive conditions.