Studies on the Growth and Development of Bulbs in the Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.)

V. Effect of Chilling Duration on the Type of Leaf Development on the Scale Dulblet

Abstract

Scale bulblets (dark-scaled at 25 or 15°C for approximately 7.5 months) of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv.′Hinomoto′ were chilled at 5°C for 0-5 months in darkness prior to being grown at 20°C in darkness. The foliage scale development increased prominently, as the chilling duration increased. This increase of the foliage scale development was greater for 15°C bulblets (developed at 15°C) than for 25°C ones. The 25°C bulblets chilled for 5 months bolted to a lesser degree than those chilled for 1, 2, 3 or 4 months.