Nitrogen Source for Inflorescence Development in Phalaenopsis: II. Effect of Reduced Fertilizer Level on Stored Nitrogen Use

Abstract

Plants of Phalaenopsis orchid are known for their great resilience and ability to flower under less than ideal conditions, including long periods without fertilization. Significant nutrient storage is thought to account for this characteristic; however, the use of stored nutrients in Phalaenopsis has not been fully studied. We used 15N-labeled Johnson’s solution to trace the use of stored nitrogen (N) and recently absorbed fertilizer N in Phalaenopsis given various fertilizer levels during forcing. By separately labeling fertilizer N applied to Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’ plants 6 weeks before and 6 weeks into forcing, we found in the inflorescence that the ratio of N derived from fertilizer applied 6 weeks before forcing to the N derived from fertilizer applied 6 weeks into forcing was 43% to 57%. With 90% reduction in fertilizer concentration during the reproductive stage, the ratio increased to 89% to 11%, indicating that stored N becomes a significant N source for inflorescence development when fertility becomes limited. Reducing fertilizer level during the reproductive stage from full-strength Johnson’s solution down to zero decreased the dry weight of newly grown leaves, reduced the number of flowers from 10.8 to 8.9, and slightly increased the time required between initiation of forcing and anthesis. However, the overall effect of reduced fertilization on the growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’ plants in this study was slight, because under little or no fertilization, more stored N was mobilized and this was sufficient to meet most of the N demand for inflorescence development.