Positive effect of salicylates on the flowering of African violet

Aqueous solutions of 1.0 μM to 0.1 nM concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) were sprayed on African violet grown under greenhouse conditions to estimate its effect on the flower expression of the plant. These solutions were sprayed on the shoots of the plant on three occasions, 21, 28 and 35 days after being potted. Salicyliclate at 0.1 nM increased the number of leaves from 16 to 19, the number of flower primordia from 8 to 14, the rosette diameter from 130 to 177 mm in comparison with the control. The same concentration induce flowering at 74 days of plant age whilest the control plants last 89 days to flower.