The efficiency of growth regulators in controlling geranium height and rachis lenght was studied in two greenhouse experiments at Cotia, State of São Paulo, Brazil, with plants growing in plastic bags. In one experiment the following growth regulators were used: chlormequat, and daminozide, both with concentrations of 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 ppm and paclobutrazol with concentrations of 15, 30 and 60 ppm. In another experiment chlormequat at concentration of 2,000 ppm was sprayed twice; daminozide solution 4,000 ppm was sprayed once and paclobutrazol was sprayed with concentrations of 5, 10 and 15 ppm once. Chlormequat and daminozide were not efficient in shortening plant height and rachis length. Paclobutrazol sprays in all dosis higher than 5ppm shortened significantly plant height and rachis length. Solutions of paclobutrazol at concentrations of 10 and 15 ppm were the most effective treatment in producing appropriate plants for commercial use.
geranium; development control; chlormequat; daminozide; paclobutrazol