Applications of potassium gibberellate (KGA) were made to ‘Redskin’ peach trees at various times after bud differentiation. KGA applied before leaf fall caused flower bud mortality and retarded bud development, depending on timing and concentration. Response peaks for each of these effects occurred at different stages in the development of flower buds. The KGA-induced retardation of floral development reduced the damage caused by frost during the bloom period. In contrast to the delay in bloom obtained when KGA was applied before leaf fall, flower bud development was accelerated when KGA was applied after a substantial part of the chilling requirement had been satisfied. The cold hardiness of the dormant flower buds was not greatly affected by KGA.
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