Use of humidity tents and antitranspirants in the acclimatization of tissue-cultured plants to the greenhouse

Film-type antitranspirants and a humidity tent were tested on tissue-cultured chrysanthemum and carnation plants in order to determine the most effective way to increase the vigor and survival of the plants at the time of transfer to a greenhouse. Phytotoxicity necessitated applying most antitranspirants at concentrations lower than that recommended by the manufacturers. Plants grown in the humidity tent were significantly larger and more vigorous than plants in any other treatment. Although a silicone formulation had the greatest effect in reducing transpiration and water stress in transferred plants, it had the adverse effect of stunting plant growth. All other treatments with antitranspirants were ineffective in improving vigor and survival of plants compared to controls.