THE INFLUENCE OF CUTTINGS HARVESTING PHENOPHASE ON THE GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF SAINTPAULIA IONANTHA WENDL.

Abstract

The species studied was the Uzambar violet or African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl.). To determine which the phenophase of the plants from which cuttings were collected influences the growth and flowering of the species, measurements were made regarding the number of leaves and the number of flowers. The number of leaves accurately reflects vegetative growth, while the number of flowers, of course, reflects the flowering capacity of the plants. The measurements were carried out over three consecutive years, at three different stages. The morphological characters studied refer to leaves and flowers, aiming to observe the correlation between these and certain biological or decorative traits. Biometric determinations and measurements were conducted through quantitative and qualitative research, and the calculations were made using statistical methods, variance analysis based on DL, that is, limit differences, an analytical method developed by R. A. Fisher. Cuttings harvested from young individuals produced plants with more leaves and flowers, thus with better growth and a much more attractive appearance.