Responses of Nine Containerized Perennials to Sumagic
Nine perennial bedding plants were screened for responsiveness to the plant growth retardant, Sumagic (uniconazole-P). Two weeks after planting, plugs were treated with one foliar spray of Sumagic at 0, 40, 80, 120, or 160 ppm at the label-recommended volume. Plant growth of Gaillardia grandiflora `Goblin' was not reduced by Sumagic. Height of Achillea × `Moonshine' was reduced 8% to 12% at 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), and the reduction persisted through 8 weeks after planting (WAP) to the landscape. Phlox paniculata `Joliet' responded linearly to increasing Sumagic rate with a maximum height reduction of 32% at 160 ppm. Coreopsis grandiflora `Sunray', Rudbeckia fulgida var. Sullivantii `Goldsturm' and Monarda didyma `Blue Stocking' responded significantly to Sumagic with 30% to 60% height reductions at 4 WAT, but no persistent effects at 8 WAP. Height of Veronica alpine `Goodness Grows' was reduced 32% to 68% at 4 WAT, but all Sumagic rates resulted in persistent reductions in plant height at 12 WAP. Plant height of Alcea rosea mix and Echinacea purpurea were excessively reduced (up to 79%) at 4 WAT, but there were no persistent effects on height of Alcea in the landscape. All rates of Sumagic resulted in persistent reductions in height of Echinacea at 8 WAP, but only plants treated with 120 and 160 ppm Sumagic were still significantly shorter than controls at 12 WAP