To produce consistent and high-quality specialty cut flowers throughout the year, growers in temperate climates must utilize controlled environment greenhouses. Research-based information on photoperiod management and supplemental lighting for specialty cut flowers is limiting.
Therefore, the objectives were (1) to determine the effect of photoperiod during the young-plant and finishing stages on floral initiation and morphology of witchgrass ‘Frosted Explosion’ ( Panicum capillare ) and marigold ‘Xochi’ ( Tagetes erecta ) and (2) to quantify the effect of daily light integral (DLI) on floral initiation and morphology of witchgrass during the finishing stage. Seeds of marigold and multi-seed pellets of witchgrass were sown and placed under 9-, 11- (marigold only), 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, 16-, 18-, or 24-h photoperiods or a 9-h short day with a 4-h night interruption (NI) from 2200 to 0200 h. Plugs were distributed among 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, or 16-h photoperiods or a 4-h NI for finishing. Witchgrass was finished under a very low or moderate DLI of ≈3 or 10 mol ⋅ m –2⋅ d –1, respectively, while marigold was finished under a DLI of ≈10 mol ⋅ m –2⋅ d –1. Marigold grown under a photoperiod ≥ 11 h or a 4-h NI during the young-plant stage and finished under an 11- or 12-h photoperiod had thick stems and consistently met the marketable stem length of ≥ 65 cm. Up to 29% and 107%, more stems were harvestable under 11- and 12-h finishing photoperiods, respectively, compared to a 10-h finishing photoperiod.
Marigold visible buds were delayed, and stems were not harvestable under photoperiods ≥ 13 h or a 4-h NI after 8 weeks. Young witchgrass plants are grown under a photoperiod between 14- and 24-h or a 4-h NI and finished under photoperiods ≥ 14 h or a 4-h NI, and at least a moderate DLI, were reliably harvestable (≥ 50 cm long with a fully developed panicle). Witchgrass finished under day lengths < 13 h (rep. 1) or < 14 h (rep. 2) flowered prematurely and were roughly one-sixth the length of harvestable stems at an open flower.
All witchgrass stems grown under a very low DLI were shorter and thinner than those grown under a moderate DLI, and none were harvestable. Therefore, recommend growing marigold ‘Xochi’ young plants under a photoperiod ≥ 11 h or a 4-h NI and finishing under a 12-h photoperiod. Additionally, witchgrass ‘Frosted Explosion’ young plants should be grown under a photoperiod ≥ 14 h or a 4-h NI and finished under photoperiods ≥ 14 h or a 4-h NI to prevent premature flowering. Witchgrass and marigold cut flowers under a DLI of ≥ 10 mol ⋅ m –2⋅ d –1 for consistent production of high-quality stems.
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Spall, Caleb & Lopez, Roberto. (2022). Daily light intended/or photoperiod during the young plant and finishing stages influence floral initiation and quality of witchgrass and marigold cut fl—frontierstiers in Plant Science. 13. 10.3389/fpls.2022.956157.