Abstract:
A three-year field study was undertaken at the Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, to ascertain the effects of disbudding on the growth and yield of Celosia cristata var. carmine. The results, in general, showed that disbudding reduced the number and weight (size) of undesirable side (or auxiliary) shoots on the flower stem and thus resulted in increased plant height, flower stem length and flower head weight (size). Disbudding also induced early harvesting and a more concentrated harvest period. A closer spacing of 15×9 cm proved better for the production of cut flowers of marketable stem length and head size than the conventional spacing of 15×12 cm. For good quality cut flowers, celosia plants should be disbudded at least once.
