Effect of Pruning Height, Shading and Polythene Covering on Growth and Flower Production of Rose CV. Raktagandha

The effects of different treatment of pruning, overhead shading and polythene covering on the rose cv. Raktagandha were studied at PAU, Ludhiana during 1996–97. It was observed that the maximum pruned wood weight per plant was in the plants which were maintained under 50% shading treatment during the summer. The maximum plant height and plant spread were observed in the plants which were given 25% summer shading followed by winter covering. However, maximum number of flowers per plant was observed in plants which were given 50% shade and polythene covering. Performance of the plants was best in plants maintained under 25% shading treatments, as far as number of ‘A’ grade flowers are concerned. Pruning at 45 cm height resulted in maximum plant height, compared with pruning at 60 cm height. The plants produced blooms about 10 days earlier under 25% shading than 50% shaded plants. Further, intensity of pruning had a definite role in regulating flower production as plant took more days to come into flowering in 45 cm pruned plants as compared to 60 cm.