Night Temperature, Photosynthetic Photon Flux, and Long Days Affect Gypsophila paniculata Flowering

Abstract

<jats:p>The effects of night temperature (NT) and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) on time to flower and flower yield in `Bristol Fairy' and `Bridal Veil' <jats:italic>Gypsophila paniculata</jats:italic> L. (perennial baby's breath) were studied in controlled environments. Plants were grown with nights at 8, 12, 16, and 20C and 450 or 710 μmol·s<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>·m<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup> photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). Days were at 20C. In both cultivars, the times from the start of treatments to visible bud and from visible bud to anthesis were delayed at the lower PPF and at an NT &lt;20C. The delays in `Bristol Fairy' were greater than those in `Bridal Veil'. Failure of `Bristol Fairy' plants to reach anthesis was common at SC NT and either 450 or 710 μmol·s<jats:sup>-1</jats:sup>·m<jats:sup>-2</jats:sup> PPF; whereas in `Bridal Veil', nearly all plants flowered, regardless of environmental conditions. Flower yield (measured as fresh weight of inflorescences) decreased with NT in `Bristol Fairy' but was highest at 8 or 12C in `Bridal Veil'. In a second experiment using the same cultivars, the effect of curtailing long-day (LD) conditions at various stages on stem elongation and flower yield was investigated. `Bristol Fairy' required more LD cycles (&gt;56) than `Bridal Veil' for maximum stem elongation and flower yield. Terminating LD conditions before the start of inflorescence expansion resulted in lower yields and shorter plants in both cultivars.</jats:p>

Temperature, Irradiance, Photoperiod, and Growth Retardants Influence Greenhouse Production of Angelonia angustifolia Benth. Angel Mist Series

“…The reduction in days to flower and days to visible bud has been noted in many crops, including snapdragons (Stefanis and Langhans, 1982) and Gypsophila paniculata Per. (Hicklenton et al, 1993). Crop production time of Angelonia could be shortened by almost 2 weeks with supplemental lighting.…”

Implementation of Sustainable Practices to Ornamental Plant Cultivation Worldwide: A Critical Review

“…Although temperature increases from 14 to 26 • C significantly reduced time to anthesis of the annuals Tagetes erecta, Antirrhinum majus, Nemesia foetans, Heliotropium arborescens, Nicotiana alata, Diascia barberae, Matthiola incana, and Osteorpermum ecklonis [36], elevated night temperatures negatively affected the flower yield of Gypsophila paniculata [37]. The flower production of G. paniculata was hastened at 28 • C, but yield was significantly lower compared to production at 12 • C [37]. The number of flowering buds and flower diameters were significantly decreased in Antirrhinum majus, Calendula officinalis, Impatiens walleriana, Torenia fournieri, and Mimulus x hybridus plants grown at 32 • C compared to those grown at 20 • C [38].…”

“…Increasing temperatures from 20 to 40 • C resulted in significant reductions in photosynthetic activity of Agastache urticifolia, Petunia x hybrida, Capsicum annum, Plumbago auriculata, and Catharanthus roseus plants [35]. Although temperature increases from 14 to 26 • C significantly reduced time to anthesis of the annuals Tagetes erecta, Antirrhinum majus, Nemesia foetans, Heliotropium arborescens, Nicotiana alata, Diascia barberae, Matthiola incana, and Osteorpermum ecklonis [36], elevated night temperatures negatively affected the flower yield of Gypsophila paniculata [37]. The flower production of G. paniculata was hastened at 28 • C, but yield was significantly lower compared to production at 12 • C [37].…”