A b s t r a c tThe location and structure of the septal nectaries in the flowers of Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch. were studied. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used for examination. It has been shown that the septal nectaries are located in the lower part of the ovary and in the gynophore on which the ovary is borne. Nectar is secreted through the single-layered epidermis surrounding three nectary slits and nectar release occurs through three openings located at the base of the gynophore, which are the outlets of the ducts connected to the nectary slits. The expanded and fused bases of the stamen filaments and the tepals participate in secondary nectar presentation. In the flowers of Allium aflatunense, numerous purple elements: tepals, filaments, style and pedicle, perform the role of a colour attractant. On the intensely green ovary, there occur glistening conical outgrowths of epidermal cells, which may also function as signal attractants.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bulb planting time and the type of mulch on the morphological traits of plants and on bulb yield of Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch. 'Purple Sensation'. Bulbs of 12 cm diameter were used as the study material. The bulbs were planted in plots on three dates: September 15th, October 1st, and October 15th. The plantation was mulched after frost with two types of mulch: composted pine bark and wheat straw. Phenological phases of the plants were observed during the growing season. At the full flowering stage, several observations and measurements were taken: length of leaves, length of inflorescence peduncle, peduncle diameter, inflorescence diameter, and number of flowers per inflorescence. After harvest, total numerical and weight yield of bulbs were evaluated as well as number and weight of the largest bulbs (21–22 cm diameter). The study showed that in order to obtain Allium aflatunense of high ornamental value, which is determined by the number of flowers per inflorescence and the inflorescence peduncle diameter, bulbs need to be planted in the middle of September. Bulb planting in October leads to production of inflorescences of greater diameter. The optimum method of Allium aflatunense cultivation which ensures production of good total yield of bulbs, expressed in its weight, is bulb planting on September 15th and soil mulching with composted pine bark or straw. Mulching a plantation of Allium aflatunense planted on September 15th with bark has a positive effect on the number and weight of bulbs of 21–22 cm diameter

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In the flowers of Allium there are found septal nectaries; in particular species, their outlet can be located in different parts of the ovary. The inflorescences of these plants are a rich source of nectar for insects. The location and structure of septal nectaries in the flowers of Allium giganteum Regel were investigated. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used. The septal nectaries were found to be located in the lower part of the ovary and in the gynophore on which the ovary is borne. Nectar is secreted into the nectary slits from which it flows through the ducts to three openings located in the upper part of the gynophore, from whence it gets outside in the vicinity of the expanded parts of the filaments. Sugar concentration in the nectar of A. giganteum averaged 54.5%, while sugar weight per flower was determined to be 0.36 mg. When converted into sugar weight per inflorescence, numbering more than 2,000 flowers, it was 771.7 mg

An experiment aimed at examining the effect of bulb size and the method of application of Asahi SL biostimulator on the growth and yield of Allium moly L. was conducted in the years 2005–2008. Four sizes of bulbs were used in the experiment (3–4, 4–5, 5–6, and 6–7 cm in circumference). Asahi SL was applied in the following combinations: bulb soaking for 45 minutes in the biostimulator solution prior to planting; plant spraying at the green bud stage; soaking combined with plant spraying; and the control treatment without application of the stimulator. Asahi SL was applied at a concentration of 0.2%. After the first frost, the experimental plots were mulched with wheat straw. During the experiment, the decorative value of the plants was evaluated and the following features were determined: inflorescence stem length, inflorescence diameter, and number of flowers per inflorescence. Total yield was evaluated after bulb harvest. The size of Allium moly bulbs planted was found to determine the quality of inflorescence stems and total yield of daughter bulbs expressed in their number and weight. Inflorescence stems of high ornamental value and high total yield of daughter bulbs resulted from planting bulbs of 5–6 and 6–7 cm in circumference. The application of 0.2% solution of Asahi by spraying green buds or the combination of spraying and bulb soaking prior to planting are very beneficial for the quality of inflorescence stems and yield of daughter bulbs. The application of 0.2% solution of Asahi SL by plant spraying leads to an increase in total quantitative yield of bulbs by 10% or 8% in case of the combined use of both application methods. Bulb soaking combined with plant spraying leads to an

The experiments were conducted in 2000–2002. Corms of <em>Acidanthera bicolor</em> var. <em>murielae</em> Perry were planted on four dates, every ten days: 19–20th of April, 29–30th of April, 8–9th of May, 18–19th of May, and at three different depths: 4, 8, and 12 cm. At the end of the vegetation period, the plants were dug out and cormels obtained were dried, cleaned and calibrated by 8 sizes that included cormels of the following circumferences: below 4.0 cm, 4.1–6.0 cm, 6.1–8.0 cm, 8.1–10.0 cm, 10.1–12.0 cm, 12.1–14.0 cm, 14.1–16.0, and over 16.0 cm. Then, the cormels were grouped into three sizes: I – cormels with a circumference of over 10.0 cm; II – cormels of 10.0–8.1 cm in circumference; and III – cormels of 8.0–6.0 cm in circumference. The structure and weight of the total and marketable yield as well as further values of cormel circumference were determined. The marketable yield comprised cormels with a circumference of over 8 cm, belonging to group I and II of the cormel size. It was found that planting corms in April increased the number of cormels in the total yield as well as the number and weight of marketable cormels. Planting corms at a depth of 12 cm increased the number and weight of cormels in the total yield as well as the weight of marketable cormels in comparison to the shallowest planting depth (4 cm). Planting corms on the 19–20th of April at a depth of 12 cm increased the percentage and weight of the largest cormels with a circumference of over 16 cm in comparison to planting them on the 18–19th of May at a depth of 4 cm.

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S u m m a r ySalvia horminum L.) 'Oxford Blue' was grown from transplants or it was direct seeded. Four sowing dates were applied: 15 March or 30 March -in a greenhouse, in order to obtain transplants, 13 April, 27 April and 11 May -sown directly into the ground. Three plant densities were applied: 25 plants m . It was found that Horminum sage can be grown from transplants or direct seeded. The cultivation from transplants is more advantageous due to the earlier fl owering of plants, by about two weeks, and a better quality of infl orescences evaluated in terms of their length and size of bracteoles. Direct sowing of Horminum sage at two-week intervals from the 2nd decade of April till the 2nd decade of May ensures that by the end of August mature infl orescence stems are obtained, ready for cutting. A delay in the date of sowing results in the development of signifi cantly shorter infl orescence stems, irrespective of the plant density. Plant density does not affect signifi cantly the length of the period of infl orescence formation and the date of fl owering, but a larger spacing is favourable to plants growing big, what results in a larger fresh weight of the above-ground portion. Sage grown from transplants responses to favourable climatic conditions by the development of bigger infl orescences.