Fall bloom

Arnold Trachtenberg arnold@nj.rr.com
Wed, 10 Sep 2003 15:39:06 PDT
 Flower  initiation in bulbs has always been a fascinating subject for 
me.  It is always amazing how some plants flower on schedule regardless 
of the environment.  I have witnessed cyclamen, boophone and others come 
into growth under artificial light( same on/off period)  as if they were 
outside and exposed to lengthening days.

I remember reading about integrated Pest management principles and 
counting the number of days that a certain temperature was reached.  
This could be used to calculate the appearance of pests and determined 
the timing for the application of control practices. 

So why no the same with colchicums or crocus for that matter.  I could 
be that after 45 days of days over 85 degrees  the flower  ripens and it 
is not so much the appearance of the cold but the length of time that 
heat was present.  I guess we will all have to go to the lab to wok this 
out.

Arnold


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