Commercial Floriculture

Cultivation - Propagation

• Tuberoses are propagated by bulbs, bulblets and seeds.
• Multiplication by bulb-segments and in vitro micro propagation from scale stem-sections is also possible.
• Propagation by bulbs is the most common method practiced for the commercial multiplication of tuberoses.
• The bulbs remain dormant during the winter months in places where the temperature is low and,
• If early planting is desired, the dormancy can be success¬fully broken by dipping the bulbs in 4% Thiourea solution for one hour.
• Ethylene chlorohydrins can also be used for breaking the dormancy.
• The bulbs are separated from the clumps by rubbing off the loose scales and the long roots should also be removed.
• Spindle-shaped bulbs with a diameter of 2.6 to 3 cm size are used for planting.
• However, if the bulbs are very large they may be cut into 2-3 vertical sections, each containing a bud and part of the basal plate.
• Each of these sections is treated with copper fungicide and planted vertically with their tips just showing above the surface.
• About 8 to 9 tons of bulbs are required to plant an area of one hectare.