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In all five species examined, seeds sown in autumn (April) produced the tallest plants. Later sowing resulted in early rapid stem elongation and the initiation of flowers/inflorescences in developmentally younger plants (fewer leaves on the main stem) and anthesis at a younger age. Plants from the early sowing produced more open inflorescences at peak flowering than those of later sowing dates. It is therefore concluded that early autumn rain results in the establishment of taller plants which take a longer time to reach anthesis and peak flowering, but at their peak these plants will produce more inflorescences and consequently a more spectacular show than plants that establish later in the season. (C)1996 Academic Press Limited