Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Mar 1999

Growth of Dracaena marginata and Spathiphyllum ‘Petite’ in Sphagnum Peat- and Coconut Coir Dust-based Growing Media

and
Page Range: 49 – 52
DOI: 10.24266/0738-2898-17.1.49
Save
Download PDF

Abstract

A comparison was made of Canadian sphagnum peat (SP) and Philippine coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) coir dust (CD) as growing media components for greenhouse production of Dracaena marginata Bak. and Spathiphyllum Schott ‘Petite’. Three soilless foliage plant growing mixes (Cornell, Hybrid, University of Florida #2 [UF-2]) were prepared using either SP or CD and pine bark (PB), vermiculite (V), and/or perlite (P) in the following ratios (% by vol): Cornell = 50 CD or SP:25 V:25 P, Hybrid = 40 CD or SP:30 V:30 PB, UF-2 = 50 CD or SP: 50 PB. Dracaena root growth was not affected by treatments but there were significant mix × media component interactions that affected plant top growth parameters. In general, the growth and quality of D. marginata were reduced by using CD in Cornell, had no effect in Hybrid, and increased in UF-2. S. ‘Petite’ grew equally well in all growing mixes regardless of whether CD or SP was used; however, plants grew more in Cornell and Hybrid than in UF-2. S. ‘Petite’ roots, which were infested with Cylindrocladium spathiphylli, had higher grades when grown in CD than when the media contained SP.

Copyright: Copyright, All Rights Reserved 1999

Contributor Notes

Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-06741. This research was partially funded by the United States Agency for International Development through Chemonics International Consulting and Agribusiness Systems Assistance Program and by the National Foliage Foundation. Appreciation is extended to Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses and Peckett's for providing plant material and to Ms. Diane Rock for technical assistance.

2Professor.

3Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011.

Received: 03 Aug 1998
  • Download PDF