Effects of bending and harvesting height combinations on cut rose yield in a dense plantation with high intensity lighting

The study aimed at improved rose production through the use of different bending and harvesting height combinations in a dense plantation (31.25 plants m−2) with high intensity lighting (220 μmol m−2 s−1) and CO2 (800 ppm). The cultivars in the study were ‘Sacha’, ‘Indian Femma’, ‘Lorena’, ‘Frisco’ and ‘Dream’ and the production time was 5–17 months. The nodal position of cuttings had no significant effect on the time from planting to harvest, flower yield, most of the quality parameters or vase life. Growing method affected flower quantity and quality, the number of bottom breaks and plant mortality. In 8 out of 9 experiments, bending above 5 buds and harvesting at different heights (Method 5 B) gave higher yield than did bending at base and harvesting above 1 bud (Method B). In 5 out of 9 experiments, bending above 3 buds and harvesting at different heights (Method 3 B) resulted in higher yield than did Method B, and in 6 out of 9 experiments, Method 5 B gave greater yield than did Method 3 B. There were differences in response between the cultivars; e.g. in ‘Sacha’ the total number of flowering shoots per square meter over a 17-month cultivation period was 2039 with Method 5 B, 1501 with Method 3 B and 847 with Method B. Shoots were longer and the quality of flowers was proportionally better with Method B than with the other methods. For ‘Sacha’, ‘Indian Femma’ and ‘Lorena’ the number of high grade flowers per square meter was higher with Method 5 B than Method B. The number of good bottom breaks was higher with Method 5 B than Method 3 B. Plant mortality was greater with Method B than with the other methods. The median vase life of flowers in winter time was 20 days for ‘Frisco’, 18 days for ‘Dream’ and 12 days for ‘Sacha’. Dense production was profitable.