Standardization of forcing schedule in cultivars of narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) under midhill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

An experiment was conducted to standardize the forcing scedule for cultivars of narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.) at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, University of Horticulture and Foresty, Nauni, during 2010–11. There was a wide range in diversity in flower shape, size, colour and flowering duration in different cultivass. The forcing schedule for cultivars was followed in the field of the experimental farm. Generally, programmed bulbs sprouted earlier (24.40 days) than the non-programmed ones (43.60 days). Among cultivars, Scilly White was earliest (24.77 days) to sprout, whereas Carlton ’took maximum time (43.67 days) for sprouting. Flowering in programmed bulbs occurred earlier (46.85 days) compared to non-programmed ones (61.63 days). Scilly White was earliest to flower (33.17 days), whereas Ice Follis took maximum number of days (78.33 days) to flower.