Studies on the Effect of Growth Retardants on Growth and Flowering in Potted Fuchsia

A pot experiment was conducted at experimental farms of Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Mashobra, situated at 2286 m above mean sea level at 31.1 N latitude and 77.2 E longitude north-west of Himalayas in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The response of two cultivars of Fuchsia to Cycocel (500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) and Ethrel (350, 600 and 1000 ppm) was studied with respect to growth and flowering parameters. CCC-1000 ppm spray reduced the height of Fuchsia by 14.8% and increased the plant spread by 30.8%. CCC-1500 ppm again advanced flowering by 16 days where as Ethrel sprays significantly delayed flowering. Ethrel 1000 ppm spray increased the number of flowers per plant by 21.4%. Cycocel treated plants remained in flowering over a longer duration and were having better presentability.