Growth and Development of Euphorbia pulcherrima `Freedom' and Lilium longiflorum `Nellie White' in Sphagnum Peat- and Coir Dust-based Substrates

Abstract

Euphorbia pulcherrima `Freedom' (poinsettia) were grown in coir dust, sphagnum peat, and perlite at the following ratios (respectively) 20:0:80, 40:0:60, 60:0:40, 80:0:20, 0:20:80, 0:40:60, 0:60:40, and 0:80:20 (v/v) substrates. Days to anthesis were not significantly different between substrates. Heights were greater for plants produced in 80% coir compared to plants grown in 80% peat. Overall, plants grown in coir-based substrates were taller than plants grown in peat-based substrates. Plants grown in 60% coir had a greater number of lateral shoots, increased shoot fresh weight and increased bract area compared to plants grown in 60% peat. Overall, plants grown in coir-based substrates had greater shoot fresh weights compared to plants grown in peat-based substrates. Lilium longiflorum `Nellie White' (lily) plants were grown in 40:0:20:40, 0:40:20:40, 0:57:14:28, 0:73:9:18 (v/v sphagnum peat: coir dust: loam: perlite) substrates. As the proportion of coir in the substrate increased, height, and shoot and root fresh weights increased. Nodes to flower, days to flower, and number of flowers were not significantly affected by substrate.