Effect of Growing Conditions and Potting Media on the Growth of Echeveria Cv. (Black Princes Rose)
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Date
2016
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Echeveria cv. Black Princes Rose is a succulent plant which belongs to the family Crassulaceae. This is an ornamental succulent that develops attractive colors under optimum light conditions. However, as succulents these plants are highly sensitive to the variation in the potting media by triggering better survival.
The present study was performed to find the effect of growing conditions and potting media on the growth of Echeveria which has been less studied in Sri Lanka. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with two different potting media (burnt rice husk: compost in 1:1 ratio and topsoil: sand: coir dust in 1:1:1 ratio) under two different day temperature conditions (30-35°C and 35-40°C) and exposed to two different light conditions (blue and white) at night time with three replicates for each treatment combination. Statistical analysis was performed using three-way ANOVA. Growth parameters, such as number of leaves per plant, the height of the plant, and diameter of the rosette and color of the rosette were measured for eight weeks period. Results revealed that, the best growth performance was observed in treatment combination of topsoil: sand: coir dust media at blue night light under 30-35°C day temperature condition. Most of the three-way interactions were significant for the tested parameters under above treatment combination. When considering color development of the rosette, higher redness was observed by exposing the plants to day temperature of 30¬35°C while keeping in the same media composition as above. These quality improvements while reducing cost of production through optimum conditions will help to increase the marketable price of Echeveria cv. Black Princes Rose.
The second experiment was conducted by using Echeveria leaves to check best conditions for propagation and used two different potting media (sand only media and sand: compost in 1:1 ratio) under two different day temperature conditions (25-30°C and 35-40°C) and exposed to two different light conditions (blue and white) at night time. The best growth showed in the treatment combination of sand only media, white night light, and 25- 30°C day temperature condition by giving highest number of leaves per sprout and highest height of the sprout.
Key words: Potting media, Night light, Day temperature, Growth, Rosette color
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Export Agriculture Degree Programme (EAG)