Chemical Regulators Affect Growth, Postproduction Performance, and Propagation of Golden Pothos

Abstract

Drench paclobutrazol or uniconazole applications (0.1-1.0 mg/0.5-liter pot or 0.05-0.2 mg/pot, respectively) were effective in suppressing stem elongation of golden pothos [Epipremnum aureum (Linden & Andrè) Bunt.]. Although the leaf production rate was reduced by both retardants, treated plants produced larger leaves than the controls, resulting in greater total leaf areas. Response to foliar paclobutrazol or uniconazole applications (0-200 and 0-100 mg·liter -1 , respectively) was similar to the soil drench patterns, except that the leaf production rate was unaffected. Following 10 weeks in an interior environment, plants previously treated with either retardant produced shorter stems, fewer but larger leaves, and lower fresh weights than the nontreated plants. Cuttings collected from stock plants previously treated with a paclobutrazol or uniconazole soil drench (0.1 or 0.05 mg/0.5-liter pot, respectively) produced longer stemmed shoots, more and larger leaves, and heavier shoot fresh weights than cuttings from the nontreated plants. Foliar paclobutrazol application (0-200 mg·liter -1 ) to stock plants resulted in cuttings producing larger leaves and heavier shoot fresh weights than controls. Chemical names used: (2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,-4-dlmethyl-2-(l,2,4-trizol-l-yl)pentin-3-ol (paclobutrazol);(E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,-4-timethyl-2-(1,2,4-trizol-l-yl)l-penten-3-ol (uniconazole).