Evaluation of two growing systems for cut snapdragon production: Tray vs. ground bed

Cut-flower production of three snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) cultivars ('Potomac Pink', 'Winter White', and 'Potomac Light Pink') in growing trays vs. ground beds was evaluated in five different plantings over a period of a year:and a half. The experiments evaluated the quality of cut flowers fr om plants in ground beds or in small vs. large trays either raised or place d directly on the ground bed. The quality Of flowering shoots was lower whe n plants were grown in raised trays rather than in on-ground trays or in gr ound beds, but other treatments did not affect quality consistently. Flower ing shoot grade (a subjective quality indicator) correlated well (r = 0.8) with the ratio of shoot dry-weight to shoot length (an objective quality in dicator). Our results confirm that the flower duality of snapdragons grown on ground trays can equal that of those grown in ground beds.