Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Harkess, Richard

Committee Member

Bi, Guihong

Committee Member

Broderick, Shaun

Committee Member

Dhillon, Jagmandeep

Date of Degree

5-15-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Plant & Soil Sciences (Horticulture)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Plant form and flowering of Streptocarpus x hybridus Ladyslippers® ‘Grape Ice’ and ‘Deep Blue Vein’ were examined in response to exogenous application of ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], gibberellin 3 (GA3), benzyladenine (BA), and growth retardants ancymidol and chlormequat chloride. 750 mg L-1 ethephon applied at 3 weeks post-transplant (WPT) is effective in chemically pinching premature floral buds, delaying flowering by up to 10 days without restricting final plant size. Early applications of GA3 and BA hasten flowering by up to 10 days. GA3 and BA also interacted to promote floral development when applied early in the production cycle; increasing flower number by 2 stems at 2 cm taller in ‘Grape Ice’ and 1 stem at 3 cm taller in ‘Deep Blue Vein’ and hastening flowering by 3 days and 2 days, respectively. At 4 or 6 WPT, GA3 and BA increased final growth index by 2 cm on average with less substantial effects on flowering. Ancymidol is an effective growth regulator for both cultivars, without delaying flowering, at 200 mg L-1 applied 2 WPT; chlormequat chloride does not restrict growth or flowering in Streptocarpus due to a lack of internodal elongation. Growers can apply PGRs to effectively control the timing of finishing, final plant size, and flowering in S. × hybridus.

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