Respon Pertumbuhan dan Pembungaan Bunga Lisptik ‘Soedjana Kasan’ terhadap Aplikasi GA3, Etefon, dan Paklobutrazol

Abstract

Aeschynanthus ‘Soedjana Kasan’ or ‘Soeka’ lipstick flower is a new inter-specific hybrid variety derived from Aeschynanthus radicans Jack. and Aeschynanthus tricolor Hook. This variety generally blooms once a year and the flowers are easily abscised. The aim of this research was to study the effects of different concentrations of plant growth regulator (PGR) (GA3, ethephon, and paclobutrazol) on plant growth and flowering of ‘Soeka’ lipstick flower. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with nine treatments, consisted of spraying application of GA3 at 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 150 ppm, ethepon at 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and paclobutrazol at 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm. Plants without PGR application were used as control. Each treatment was replicated five times, each of which consisted of one pot containing 5 stem cuttings. The results showed that the highest number of branch increments were obtained by plants sprayed with 150 ppm GA3. All PGR treatments had no significant effect on the total number of leaves and branch length. Application of ethephon resulted in shorter internodes, whereas GA3 or paclobutrazol applications resulted in longer internodes. The fastest flower initiation was obtained in 1 to 2 weeks after ethephon application at 50 and 100 ppm. The highest number of flowers were obtained on plants sprayed with 100 ppm paclobutrazol. In contrast to the abscised flowers induced by other PGR, those induced by paclobutrazol were successfully developed into fruits.

Keywords: Aeschynanthus, flowering, growth, ornamental plant, plant growth regulator