Capillary Mats Alter the Water Content in Medium during Mist Propagation of Dendranthema

Abstract

A capillary mat-mist system was developed to provide near constant media water contents at differing quantities of mist. Media water contents were reduced by increasing the capillary mat height above a constant water table maintained at bench level. Increased tensions from 0 to 10 cm above the water table reduced water content in Oasis, rockwool, and peat-perlite by 35.4%, 27.6%, and 17.4%, respectively. There was no difference in water content for each medium when the mist quantity ranged between 600 and 1800 mL·m-2·h-1, except when the capillary mat was at 9 cm above the water table and mist volume was 300 mL·m-2·h-1. Chrysanthemum cuttings rooted best when water content was highest regardless of media. Using the peat-perlite medium, water content had the greatest impact on rooting when the mist volume was low (600 mL·m-2·h-1). Relative water content of cuttings was lowest during the first 5 days of sticking and both reduced media water content and mist quantity resulted in the lowest internal water status for the cuttings.