Optimizing Nutrient Balance for Enhanced Productivity and Quality of Anthurium andreanum in Soilless Culture
W.M.D.N. Warigajeshta *
Landscape Division, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Y.M.U. Anjali
Department of National Botanical Gardens, Floriculture Research and Development Unit, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
S.A. Krishnarajah
Department of National Botanical Gardens, Floriculture Research and Development Unit, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Anthurium andraeanum is an excellent plant for interior decor as well as a cut flower, especially for flower arrangements. An experiment was conducted to study the productivity and flower quality of anthurium andraeanum cultivated under net house conditions at the department of national botanic gardens, Peradeniya. There were three different nutrient combinations. F1- N: P: K 11:11:18 (granules) + N: P: K 6:30:30 (liquid) + organic liquid fertilizer i.e. Maxi crop (control), F2- N: P: K 15:05:25 (granules) + 10:20:40 (liquid) + trace elements (liquid), F3- 14:14:21(granule) + 20:20:20 (liquid) + trace elements (granule). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. All vegetative and flowering parameters differed significantly at 0.05 level. Maximum numbers of suckers per pots, leaves and flowers per pot were recorded in the second combination of fertilizers F2, N: P: K 15:05:25 (granules) + 10:20:40 (liquid) + trace elements (liquid). This study concludes that a combination of 5g slow-release granules (N: P: K 15:05:25) with water-soluble (N: P: K 10:20:40) and trace elements effectively enhances the growth and flower production of Anthurium andraeanum.
Keywords: Anthurium andraeanum, floriculture, fertilizer, growing medium, potted plants