ISHS Acta Horticulturae 361: International Symposium on New Cultivation Systems in Greenhouse
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERLITE AS A POTTING SUBSTRATE FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTS |
| Authors: | C.A. Smith, D.A. Hall |
| Abstract:
Ornamental pot plants have already been successfully grown using hydroponic-type cultural techniques in fine perlite. There is a need, however, to develop simpler and more robust methods of pot culture in perlite if the substrate is to be adopted for commercial production. Growing trials with both Ficus elastica 'Robusta' and pot Chrysanthemum 'Bright Golden Anne' were used to evaluate perlite-based potting mixes incorporating complete-nutrient base fertilisers and receiving simple N:P:K liquid feeds. Fine and coarse perlite-based mixes both with and without added vermiculite were compared with a traditional peat-based potting mix. Irrigation from overhead or by basal reservoir was also assessed. Perlite-based mixes without basal reservoirs performed as well as peat for both crops. Vermiculite addition enhanced the quality of Ficus, yet tended to impair the performance of pot Chrysanthemum. The basal reservoir effectively simplified water management for Ficus, but lead to poor aeration with fine perlite in the shallower pots used for Chrysanthemum. It is concluded that perlite-based potting mixes can be as simple to manage and as productive as traditional peat-based mixes. | |
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