Temperature Affects Leaf Unfolding Rate and Flowering of Cyclamen

Abstract

The rate of leaf unfolding for Cyclamen persicum Mill. was determined at 8 to 24 °C. Temperature treatments started 9 weeks from seeding and after 8 weeks all plants were moved to 16 °C. The cultivars Miracle Salmon, Miracle Scarlet, and Miracle White produced leaves at a similar rate. The relationship of (leaves/d) = - 0.01727 - 0.02284 * °C + 0.005238 * (°C)2 - 0.000162 * (°C)3 (R2 = 0.99) best described the leaf unfolding rate in response to temperature. The maximum leaf unfolding rate was estimated to 0.329 leaves/day at 19.1 °C. Flower buds (2 mm diameter) developed within 60 days from the start of temperature treatments except at 8 °C. Thirty-five additional days at 16 °C were required for cyclamen initially grown at 8 °C for 8 weeks to produce flower buds. Despite similar conditions during bud development, flowering was delayed 14 to 18 days for plants initially grown at 24 °C compared to those grown at 12 to 20 °C. Plants initially at 8 °C did not flower within 70 days at 16 °C. Leaf and flower numbers at first open flower increased as initial temperature increased from 12 to 24 °C while dry weight and height only increased to 20 °C. No correlation between leaf unfolding and rate of flowering or flower number was detected. Recommendations for 20 °C during early cyclamen growth can be expected to support rapid rates of leaf unfolding and development, and large flower numbers.