019 USE OF PACLOBUTRAZOL TO INCREASE LEAF SIZE AND SALABILITY OF Epipremnum aureum `Golden Pothos' ON TOTEMS

Abstract

Results of a preliminary experiment using paclobutrazol at 0, 12 or 24 mg a.i./3.6-liter pot indicated that its use could enhance the appearance of pothos, but that some refinement of paclobutrazol rates should be made. Two experiments were conducted to determine the rate of paclobutrazol necessary to increase leaf size and optimize plant quality of pothos on totems in 3.6-liter pots grown under shadecloth providing 50% light penetration. In Experiment 1, rooted pothos cuttings were transplanted around a totem pole in a 3.6-liter pot and each pot was treated with a 250-ml drench of water containing Bonzi™ at 0, 4, 8, 12 or 16 mg a.i. Four mg a.i. of paclobutrazol yielded the most desirable plants, based on average leaf size, vine length and plant grade. Experiment 2 was designed to further refine the paclobutrazol application rate. Rooted cuttings of pothos were transplanted around a totem pole in a 3.6-liter pot and each pot was treated with a 100-ml drench of water containing paclobutrazol at 0, 1.32, 2.64, 3.96, 5.28, 6.60 or 7.92 mg a.i. Paclobutrazol applied at a rate of 5.28 mg a.i./3.6-liter pot optimized plant appearance by increasing leaf size and plant grade.