Abstract
The responses of container-grown Blood Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf.) to three light duration treatments were evaluated. Light duration treatments included exposure of plants to 8, 12, or 16 hours of light. The treatment consisting of 16 hours of light was the most effective in producing uniform floral development (time to anthesis and plant height). Therefore, long periods of light (long days) could possibly have a positive effect on Blood Lily uniform floral development based on the results obtained. The amount of light provided on average for 16 hours was similar to that provided for plants under 63% shade conditions (corresponding to an average of 29.95 mol m[sup-] day [sup-]) in preliminary studies. Thus, Blood Lily could be commercially produced under partial shade in zones ranging from 9 to 11, and/or could be used as a landscape bedding plant. For northern areas below zone 9, Blood Lily could possibly be a good candidate for use as a cut flower and/or a potted plant. Further studies should address the factors involved in flower initiation, development and longevity, and subsequent plant performance, aiming the commercial production of Blood Lily.
