EFFECT OF SCREEN HOUSE MODIFICATION AT FLOWER BUD STADIA ON FLOWER QUALITY OF CHRYSANTHEMUM AT MEDIUM UPLAND ELEVATION

Higher temperature and light intensity at the medium upland elevation decrease the number of blooming flowers, flower diameter, and red color flower intensity of Chrysanthemum morifolium compared to that at the high upland elevation. The environmental modification was needed during the flower development phase to improve the quality of chrysantheum at a medium upland elevation. The study aimed to find the suitable screen house environmental modification for increasing the chrysanthemum quality at the medium upland elevation. The study consisted of two factors. First, environmental modification of a screen house, such as (1) control, (2) the addition of shading net on the rooftop of the screen house, (3) the addition of a misting system in the screen house, and (4) the addition of a combination of shading net on the rooftop and misting system in the screen house. Second, the chrysanthemum varieties, including (1) Yastayuki (white flower), (2) Arosuka Pelangi (yellow flower), and (3) Socakawani (red flower). Experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were analyzed by combined ANOVA. The results showed that either the addition of a shading net or misting system reduced the number of flower buds growing. The competition among flower buds was found to be reduced by decreasing the number of flower buds.  Consequently, the number and diameter of the blooming flower increased. The addition of a shading net on top of the screen house was the most suitable environmental modification to increase the chrysanthemum quality at the medium upland elevation.