Are your container plants growing wild and unruly? Imagine perfectly shaped, uniform plants ready for market! Groundbreaking research reveals a powerful solution: ethephon drenches. Let's dive into how this technique is revolutionizing plant growth management.
Taming the Wild Stems of Perennials:
A recent study investigated how ethephon substrate drenches can effectively control stem elongation in containerized herbaceous perennials. The results were impressive! Targeted applications of ethephon successfully regulated plant height without negatively impacting the plant's overall health or vigor. This is huge news for growers aiming to produce consistent, high-quality plants that meet the demands of retail markets. Think of it – no more leggy, sprawling perennials taking up valuable space and looking less than appealing. Instead, picture compact, robust plants that are visually attractive and easy to handle.
Annual Bedding Plants: From Overgrown to Outstanding:
But the benefits don't stop with perennials. A related study focused on annual bedding plants, and the findings were equally compelling. Researchers discovered that controlled ethephon substrate drenches can effectively limit excessive growth in these plants too. This leads to more compact, aesthetically pleasing plants that are sure to catch the eye of consumers. This translates to faster sales and higher profits for growers. And this is the part most people miss... the ability to tightly control growth allows for denser packing during shipping, dramatically reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.
What This Means for the Industry:
Effective height and growth control are absolutely critical for both the visual appeal and the operational efficiency of ornamental horticulture businesses. These studies provide actionable, science-backed information that growers can use to achieve several key goals: enhance plant uniformity (making them more marketable), reduce the need for labor-intensive pruning (saving time and money), and improve the overall marketability of their crops. Ultimately, this supports more sustainable and profitable production practices. It's a win-win for growers and the environment!
The Science Behind the Success:
This important research was spearheaded by W. Tyler Rich, a current research associate, as part of his Master of Science degree at The Ohio State University's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. The work was specifically conducted to support the label expansion of Collate® 2L (ethephon). As of May 2025, Collate ® 2L holds the distinction of being the only ethephon product with EPA approval for substrate drench use, in addition to its approval for foliar sprays. This makes it a uniquely versatile tool for growers. These findings are intended to help growers confidently adopt this technique, understand the optimal timing for applications, and promote the responsible use of ethephon in floriculture production.
W. Garrett Owen, an Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse Nursery Systems, also contributed significantly. His expertise lies in floriculture crop production, plant nutrition and growth regulation, nutritional monitoring, and crop diagnostics.
Want to delve deeper into the research? You can find the full studies on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal website: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18418-24 and https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18579-25.
About the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS):
Established way back in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is globally recognized as a leading and influential professional organization for horticultural scientists. ASHS is dedicated to fostering and promoting national and international interest in scientific research and education across all areas of horticulture.
With thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a diverse cross-section of the horticultural community, including scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government representatives, extension agents, and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on the practical aspects and challenges of horticulture, covering areas such as breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing, and the overall utilization of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
But here's where it gets controversial... While ethephon offers significant benefits, some growers express concern about its potential impact on beneficial insects and the long-term health of the soil microbiome. Is the ease and effectiveness of ethephon worth the potential environmental trade-offs? What are your thoughts on using ethephon drenches? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
