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Experiments were performed with the Chilean geophyte Zephyra elegans, a potential cut flower, to evaluate the effect of corm weight and storage temperature on corm dormancy, and to determine the effect of day and night growing temperatures on its growth and flowering. Z. elegans has a deciduous and synanthous growth habit and the corm is replaced annually. Dormant corms were stored at different constant temperatures or temperature combinations from 20 to 40 °C. Corms released from their dormancy were grown at 15/10, 20/15, or 25/20 °C day/night temperatures. Corms of various weights were planted at the same date after being stored dry at 25 °C for 22 weeks. They all emerged 19–38 days after planting, showing that dormancy release was not affected by corm weight. A 20-week corm storage treatment at a constant 25 °C resulted in the most rapid corm sprouting. Sprouting percentage was reduced at higher or lower storage temperatures. Temperature also affected plant growth. When plants were grown at 15/10 or 20/15 °C they emerged and flowered more rapidly than when they were grown at 25/20 °C. The latter growing temperature also resulted in poor flower quality. |
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