Relative Water Demand in Container-grown Ornamental Plants

Abstract

Abstract Relative water use patterns for 12 species of container-grown ornamental plants, areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl.), ficus (Ficus benjamina L.), gumbo-limbo [Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.], parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans Mart.), paurotis palm [Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Griseb. + Wendl.) Wendl. ex Becc.], philodendron (Philodendron selloum Koch), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia Jacq.), schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla Endl.), seagrape [Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.], silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus Fors, ex DC.), silver palm [Coccothrinax argentata (Jacq.) Bailey], and West Indian mahogany [Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq.] were measured by comparison of actual water consumption with growth rates and predicted potential evapotranspiration rates. Growth rates as determined by the change in size index over time were used to characterize species as slow, moderate, or fast-growing. The lowest relative water demand was seen in the slow-growing species. Highest relative water demand occurred in the moderate and fast-growing species. Certain moderate and fast-growing plants such as West Indian mahogany, philodendron, and pigeon plum exhibited relative water demand rates not significantly different from the slow-growing species. Monthly potential evapotranspiration rates were closely related to actual irrigation demand levels in all 12 species.