The larger the rhizome of C. alismatiafolia and the more buds it contains, the earlier the flowering and the greater the yield of flowers. The extension of day length encourages flowering while short days improve the quality of the planting material. Temperatures below 18°C damage flower production while those above 35°C damage the growth of the crop. When solar radiation is too high stem length and flower life are shortened. In general, good light levels are required for good quality flowers and yield. The rhizomes can be stored for up to a year at a temperature of 17°C and they can be 'forced' before planting by storing them under moist conditions at 30°C for 3 weeks. Experiments at the Tzvi experimental station, Israel, show the foliar application of Magic (uniconazol) during their growth period had only a small effect on reducing the height of the actual flower. By dipping rhizomes in Magic before planting however the height of the plant was reduced but the number of shoots per plant. did not increase. The variety 'Thai Beauty' develops several side shoots and is therefore better suited to pot plant production. The best results were obtained by dipping the rhizomes, after forcing, in Magic at 25ppm pror to planting and while flowering was delayed a little, foliage height was close to ideal at 30cm. The appearance of the flower in the pot can be improved by a further drench of Magic (uniconazol) when two and a half leaves have emerged. The experiments demonstrated that it was not possible to produce quality flowering pot plants using rhizomes out-graded from those used for cut-flower production. Israel Flower Growers Association, Roy Susman "Floraculture International" www.floracultureintl.com