ISHS Acta Horticulturae 559: V International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Current Trends for Suistainable Technologies
SOILLESS CULTIVATION OF OREOPANAX CAPITATUS FOR CUT FOLIAGE PRODUCTION IN UNHEATED GREENHOUSE |
| Authors: | G. Zizzo, G. Fascella, S. Agnello, G. Costantino |
| Keywords: | ornamental plants, cut foliage, Araliaceae, soilless culture, substrates |
| Abstract:
Oreopanax capitatus Decne & Planch is a tree (5 to 7 m high) native to the mountains of South America but naturalized in the gardens of Riviera Ligure of Ponente (Italy). This species can be cultivated for cut foliage production because of the ornamental character of its shiny green coriaceous leaves which display a long vase life (more than 30 days). Plants originated by seed were grown in soilless culture with three different substrates (expanded clay, local pumice and volcanic lapilli). The trial was carried out over a three-year period (1997/99) in unheated greenhouse with PMMA cover near Palermo (Sicily). Plant height and leaf production distinguished in quality classes according to lamina width and petiole length were recorded. Differences were observed in plant height and total number of leaves but not for the marketable ones whose value was nearly 55 leaves/plant. At the end of the trial, plant height was up to 175 cm in pumice and lapilli, while total leaf yield reached 85 leaves/plant with expanded clay. The best results concerning foliage quality were obtained by the pumice substrate. | |
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