Photoperiod and stock plant age effects on shoot, stolon, and rhizome formation response from leaf cuttings of Achimenes

Leaf cuttings of three cultivars of Achinienes, 'A09', 'A16', and 'A23' were taken from stock plants of different ages and photoperiod treatments to determine the effects of these environmental treatments on subsequent growth and development. The cuttings were planted and placed in either long days (LD, 16 hours) or short days (SD, 8 hours) at 20 degrees C in growth chambers. Stock plant leaf age had significant effect on rhizome, shoot, and stolon initiation. Old leaf tissue had a greater propensity to initiate rhizomes, 2 times more than that of young tissue. Young tissue responded with the production of shoots and stolons, 25 and 3.5 times more, respectively, than that of old tissue. Rhizome response was also promoted when leaf cuttings received a LD stock plant photoperiod followed by a SD propagation photoperiod.