Antitranspirants as an aid in the vegetative propagation of Ilex crenata "Compacta" and Rhododendron obtusum "Coral Bells"

Semi hardwood cuttings of Ilex crenata 'Compacta' treated with Wilt Pruf NCF (10% v/v), Vapor Card (2.5% v/v) and B-Nine SP (5000 ppm) lost significantly less water by transpiration than untreated cuttings. Cuttings treated with phenylmercuric acetate (200 ppm) lost significantly more water than untreated cuttings. Leaf damage to cuttings treated with Wilt Pruf NCF and Vapor Card was low, B-Nine SP caused moderate damage and phenylmercuric acetate caused severe damage.

Cuttings of Rhododendron obtusum 'Coral Bells' treated with Wilt Pruf NCF (10% v/v) and Vapor Card (2.5% v/v) lost significantly less water than untreated cuttings and showed little damage from anti-transpirants. Cuttings treated with B-Nine SP (5000 ppm) and phenyl mercuric acetate (200 ppm) were severely damaged.

For both 'Compacta' holly and 'Coral Bells' azalea, there was no significant difference in the number of roots per cutting and in the mean length of the longest root per cutting between cuttings treated with Wilt Pruf NCF, Vapor Card and mist.