ISHS Acta Horticulturae 342: International Symposium on Horticultural Substrates other than Soil in situ
STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR SUBSTRATES FOR CUTTINGS |
| Author: | Th.G.L. Aendekerk |
| Keywords: | physical, properties, substrate, propagation, woody plants |
| Abstract:
Research was done to establish the desirable physical properties of substrate for rooting cuttings under polythene foil or mist. Cuttings from ten plant varieties of hardy nursery stock were put in mixtures composed of peat with 5%, 20%, 35% or 50% by volume of perlite. The mixtures were investigated in combination with three levels of water (6.5; 3; 0 cm) in rockwool mats. Suction (pressure head) resulted in different volume% of water and air in the substrates. The substrates were assessed in terms of best rooting results under polythene foil or mist. The optimal physical properties for volume% air and shrinkage percentages measured by standard Dutch laboratory methods are given. These recommendations can be used for preparing substrates. | |
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