2026/04/28 by Olivia J. Liebing, W. Garrett Owen · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation #Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies #Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
paper · doi:10.21273/horttech05866-26
openalex publication_date 2026/04/28 · openalex created_date 2026/05/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
‘Dragon Wing ® ’ begonia ( Begonia × hybrida ) is widely produced in containers and hanging baskets, and growers seek reliable strategies to increase branching and control growth during production. The objective of our study was to quantify growth, branching, and flowering responses of containerized ‘Dragon Wing ® Pink’ begonia to increasing ethephon foliar spray concentrations. Plants were sprayed 7 days after transplant with deionized water (0 mg·L –1 ) or 125, 250, 500, 750, 1000, or 2000 mg·L –1 ethephon at 0.2 L·m –2 . After 35 days, increasing the ethephon concentration from 125 to 2000 mg·L –1 suppressed plant height and canopy diameter by 3% to 36% (1.7–15.7 cm) and 31% to 52% (17.2–26.1 cm), respectively, compared with untreated plants. Branch number increased from 7.5 branches in untreated plants to a maximum of 9.1 branches at 250 mg·L –1 ethephon. Shoot dry weight decreased by 32% to 52% (4.1–6.6 g) as the ethephon concentration increased from 125 to 2000 mg·L –1 . Ethephon sprays delayed flowering by 2.6 to 9.7 days as concentration increased from 250 to 2000 mg·L –1 relative to untreated plants. Collectively, foliar sprays of 250 to 750 mg·L –1 ethephon controlled growth and improved branching, while limiting flowering delays. These concentrations are suggested for onsite trials for ‘Dragon Wing ® Pink’ begonias.