The longevity of cut leaves in flower arrangements is an important commercial consideration in horticultural practices. Here we report on the effect of short-term cold storage, in combination with a cytokinin treatment, on the post harvest longevity of cut leaves of Hosta ‘Minima Glauca’ and Hosta ‘Golden Tiara’. Cut leaves were stored dry or wet in polyethylene bags for 2 or 4 days in darkness or in light at 6°C and then transferred to 20°C where their vase life was compared with those of freshly cut leaves. Storage length and method affected the vase life of detached leaves of both Hosta cultivars; however, reduced longevity of leaves in storage could not be attributed to a single parameter of the storage conditions. Pulse conditioning with a cytokinin benzyladenine was effective in prolonging vase life both in non stored and stored leaves, in the latter increasing it 2.5-fold as compared to untreated leaves. Practical implications are that cold storage can be successfully used for cut Hosta leaves but only in combination with a BA pre-treatment.

Cuttings of R. ponticum were treated or not with ‘Ukorzeniacz AB’ containing IBA and NAA, and placed in rooting medium (temp. 21°C). Transverse sections were made of the bases of the cuttings removed from the soil after 2; 3; 4; 5 and 6 weeks. Meaningful anatomical changes in anatomical structure of R. ponticum cuttings connected with wound-healing process could be seen during rooting. In first two weeks periderm in cortex and callus from cambium and phloem emerged as a response to wounding of cuttings. After 3 weeks initiation of wound xylem started in callus. It developed very intensively and did not depend on the way of cutting treatment. Application of auxins did not or not considerably influenced the anatomical changes in stem structure of R. ponticum during rooting – proliferation of new xylem was similar in control cuttings and in cuttings treated with rooting stimulator ‘Ukorzeniacz AB’, although it stimulated initiation of root primordia. Adventitious root formation occurred only in cuttings treated with ‘Ukorzeniacz AB’, in which numerous root primordia could be observed after 3 and more weeks of rooting. In control cuttings there was none of them even after 6 weeks of rooting.

The effect of term of planting and size of bulbs on the yield of Allium moly bulbs was examined. Bulbs of circumference of 5–6 and 6–7 cm were planted in three terms: 29.09; 09.10 and 19.10. It was stated that term of planting as well as size of bulbs have significant effect on number and weight of bulbs in the total yield and in the yield of the biggest bulbs (over 6 cm circumference). The optimal term of planting was 29.09, when the best results were obtained. Bulbs of circumference of 5–6 cm gave significantly bigger yield than those of 6–7 cm circumference in respect to quantity and weight.

Abstract: There was tested an influence of three biostymulants Atonik SL, Biochikol 020 PC and Tytanit on yield and fruits quality of three fruiting repeating Polish raspberry cultivars: Pokusa, Polka and Poranna Rosa during years of 2005–2006. These agents had a positive influence on fruits quality and yielding to all tested cultivars. The fruits with exception of Tytanit treated fruit especially in the beginning of harvest, were characterized by better firmness and were bigger. However, Tytanit treatment increased soluble solids content in fruits and reduced in Polka cv. nitrates concentration. Among tested cultivars, cv.  Polka was characterized by the highest yield, that was of c. a. 50% greater that of cv.  Pokusa, which was characterized by the gratest fruits sizes. The ‘Poranna Rosa’ shawed the least soluble solids and vitamin C content and had the highest acidity.