'Stripes' AglaonemaReturn to: MREC Home Page R.J. Henny, Associate Professor and
Geneticist The University of Florida, Mature foliage of Aglaonema
x 'Stripes' Aglaonema species and cultivars are valuable ornamental foliage plants because of their tolerance of interior environments. A few man-made hybrids have become commercially important, although most new cultivars have been obtained directly from jungle exploration. About 20 Aglaonema cultivars are currently produced in Florida. Recent discoveries of Aglaonema species with unique foliar variegation patterns and petiole coloration have significantly added to the available germplasm. Many such plants were obtained and included as part of the foliage plant breeding program at the Central Florida Research and Education Center, Apopka. The hybrid Aglaonema cultivar Stripes herein described, was developed from that program. Origin and Description 'Stripes' resulted from a cross of Aglaonema x 'Manila' and A. nitidum 'Curtisii' and was selected because of its good plant form and growth habit. 'Stripes' combines the foliar variegation patterns of both 'Manila' and 'Curtisii' and is intermediate in size. Leaves average about 2.5 times as long as wide and may reach 0.35 m in length. The foliar variegation consists of narrow bands of silvery white along the lateral veins, which overlays a fainter and more diffuse pattern in the same area (Fig. 1). Performance Growth characteristics of Aglaonema x 'Stripes' were determined from 1984 to 1986 in three replicated greenhouse trials. Tip cuttings (150 mm long) were rooted directly in 150-mm pots. Dates of these trials were 17 June 1984 to 7 Jan. 1985 (Trial I), 25 Apr. 1985 to 30 Sept. 1985 (Trial II), and 9 Dec. 1985 to 31 Oct. 1986 (Trial III). Plants were grown under two shade levels, resulting in 125 and 250, µmol·s-1· m-2 maximum light intensities, and supplied three fertility levels consisting of 840, 1680, and 2525 kg N ha/ year, equivalent (2.2, 4.4, or 6.6 g 19N-6P205-12K20/pot every 3 months). We also used N at 3365 kg·ha-1·year-1 in Trial II. In these trials, Aglaonema x 'Stripes' reached marketable size in 5 to 6 months, depending on season. Light level had little influence except that plants grown under 125 µmol·s-1·m-2 were a darker green (Table 1). The best fertilizer rate µappears to be between 1680 and 2525 kg N/ha/year, or 7.1 to 14.2 g (19N-3P-1OK)/150-mm pot every 3 months. Plants from Trial III were subjected to 2 weeks of simulated shipping (no light, 15°C) and then held under an interior environment of 14.4 µmol·s-1·m-2 12 hours per day for six weeks. 'Stripes' quality improved during the interior environment holding period. Recommendations 'Stripes' is intended for commercial foliage producers growing finished plants in 150-mm containers. Best growth can be expected when plants are grown with a light intensity of 125 µmol·s-1·m-2. Plants should not be stressed with excessive fertilizer or light or allowed to dry during production, as this may induce chlorosis in older leaves. Availability 'Stripes' has been trademarked by the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., and released to Florida tissue culture labs for propagation and distribution. Inquiries regarding participating labs may be obtained by writing the Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., P.O. Box 309, Greenwood, FL 32443. Table 1. Evaluation of light intensity and
fertilizer rate on growth of Aglaonema x 'Stripes'.
z1 = poor, chlorotic, 3 = good, light
green, and 5 = excellent, dark green and yellow contrast.
[Revised - 2/28/97] |
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