Effect of defoliation, shading, and tipping of shoots on flower bud development and vegetative growth of Chinese gooseberry ( Actinidia chinensis Planch.)*

Floral development in emerging shoots of unrooted hardwood Chinese gooseberry ( Actinidia chinensis Planch.) cuttings was enhanced by continuous defoliation, inhibited by total shading, and unaffected by tipping. Leaf production and growth, shoot elongation and thickening, and new bud development were similarly affected by such treatments. These effects were generally related to severity of treatment and length of time treatments were applied.