Study of Propagation by Cutting of Five Species Native to South Africa P. Frangi and S. Nicola Fondazione Minoprio Viale Raimondi, 54 22070 Vertemate con Minoprio (CO) Italy Keywords: Anisodontea capensis, Euryops chrysanthemoides, Euryops virgineus, Leonotis leonorus, Polygala myrtifolia, IBA, rooting hormone Abstract In order to enhance the availability of ornamental species for their introduction in the Italian market, a research of the best propagation protocol of five species from areas with mediterranean climate of South Africa was carried out. Stem tip cuttings of Anisodontea capensis (L.) D.M. Bates, Euryops chrysanthemoides (DC.) Nordenst., Euryops virgineus (L.f.) DC., Leonotis leonorus (L.) R. Br. and Polygala myrtifolia L. were taken at the following times: spring (April), late summer (September) and late autumn (December). The cuttings were dipped into rooting hormone (IBA potassium salt 0.5%) for 5 seconds, 2 minutes or 5 minutes. Generally speaking April resulted in the best time for propagation, followed by December, while the lowest percentages of rooting were obtained in September. In Euryops chrysanthemoides no significant differences occurred among the 3 periods of propagation. IBA increased rooting, with the exception of Euryops chrysanthemoides and Leonotis leonorus that performed well irrespective of hormone treatment. With the exception of cuttings taken in December for Euryops virgineus requiring only a five seconds treatment, a dip of 2 or 5 minutes in IBA solution was necessary to enhance rooting for all the other species. INTRODUCTION The introduction of new crops in the market is a good tool to maintain a high demand for ornamentals by the consumer and to ensure reasonable levels of income to the grower. Production and sales of Mediterranean plants are increasing in Italy, both for patio/garden use and as pot plants. The availability of species native to other countries with Mediterranean climate can contribute to maintaining this trend of production. For these reason, five species native to South Africa have been chosen for a possible large- scale production. Anisodontea capensis (L.) D.M. Bates, Euryops chrysanthemoides (DC.) Nordenst., Euryops virgineus (L.f.) DC., Leonotis leonorus (L.) R. Br. and Polygala myrtifolia L. are evergreen shrubs characterized for long-lasting and attractive flowers. A. capensis displays rose-magenta flowers from spring to autumn, while E. crysanthemoides and virgineus carry yellow daisy flowers from winter to spring. L. leonorus shows whorls of tubular, bright orange flowers in late autumn and early winter. In P. myrtifolia purple flowers appear from late spring to autumn (Brickell, 1989; Krüssmann, 1984). In the present study the effectiveness of the season and the duration of immersion of cuttings into the rooting hormones were studied on the rootability of cuttings for the five aforementioned species. MATERIALS AND METHODS Stem tip cuttings of Anisodontea capensis, Euryops chrysanthemoides, Euryops virgineus, Leonotis leonorus and Polygala myrtifolia were taken (7-10 cm long) from 2 years old mother plants either in spring (April), or late summer (September), or late autumn (December). The cuttings were dipped into rooting hormone (IBA - Indole butyric acid - potassium salt, aqueous solution 0.5%) for 5 seconds (IBA 005), 2 minutes (IBA 120) or 5 minutes (IBA 300). Cuttings were then planted in 92-holes trays filled 313 Proc. V th IS on New Flor. Crops Eds.: A.F.C. Tombolato and G.M. Dias-Tagliacozzo Acta Hort. 683, ISHS 2005