Different pruning level effects on flowering period and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Abstract

“Pruning” is a simple and efficient way to control the flowering period, but it is rarely used in perennial woody ornamental plants. In this paper, Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum was pruned in different degrees, and the relationship between pruning intensity and flowering number, and flowering time and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were compared. After statistics, it was found that pruning could advance blossoms of L. chinense var. rubrum; also, light and heavy cutting could both obtain a larger number of flowers. In addition, through correlation analysis, it was found that during the flowering period, the Rfd parameter of the unpruned treatment had a very significant positive correlation with the number of flowers FN, which was 0.81. In other pruning treatment groups, Rfd and FN also presented a certain positive correlation, indicating that the Rfd parameter can be used to predict the number of flowers during the flowering process of L. chinense var. rubrum. The research results provided a new idea for the regulation of the flowering period of L. chinense var. rubrum and other woody ornamental plants and laid the foundation for the diversified application of L. chinense var. rubrum.