Abstract
Blending polymer dewatered biosolids (PDB), poultry litter (PL), and yard wastes (YW) composts improved the usefulness of these composts as potting substrate. This study was to evaluate the optimum blending ratio of these three composts for potted chrysanthemum production. `Boaldi', `Yellow Boaldi', and `Red Akron' were planted in six compost blends at compost levels of 75% and 100% and two commercial substrates. The PDB, PL, and YW composts were blended on a 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 ratios (v/v); Sunshine mix 1 and Pro Gro 300S were the control. All treatments were replicated five times. Plants were fertilized with 150 or 300 mg·L–1 N from 21N–2.2P–16.6K once weekly. Plants grown in blends at the 75% compost level and 300 mg·L–1 N treatment produced greater number of branches, flower buds, plant height, plant width, and plant grade than those at 100% compost level and 150 mg·L–1 N treatment. The PDB + YW blends at the 75% compost level and high-fertility treatment produced premium-quality plants that were better than any of the control plants.
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