Articles
EFFECT OF THE ROOTING SUBSTRATE ON ROOTING, GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF CHRYSANTHEMUM MORIFOLIUM RAMAT
In this study, we have compared several culture media (peat moss, perlite, fine pine bark shavings, rough pine bark shavings and a mixture of rough pine bark and peat) for rooting and growth of pot Chrysanthemum cuttings obtained on the commercial market: Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv ‘Always Pink’.
The experiments were carried out in a germination chamber where all climatic parameters were controlled.
The rooting is earlier in perlite and peat moss than in other substrates.
The root quality is better in perlite, followed by peat moss and peat-pine bark mixture.
The calibred pine bark with too small or too large sized particles, were a more unfavourable medium that had consequences on the root development.
The vegetative development of rooted cuttings transplanted into the pine bark shavings-peat substrate is consistent with the already observed differences in the rooting stage.
Nevertheless, five or six weeks later, differences between the substrates are no longer significant.
As for flowering, the differences observed during rooting are true, concerning the perlite substrate, for the amount of flowers, which confirms the importance of an adequate substrate for rooting.
However, differences are less clear as far as earliness to flower is concerned.
The transplantation act is important.
Untransplanted cuttings showed better visual quality and flowered earlier.
Transplanting shock therefore, not only causes a delay, but actually reduces the productive potential.
Adding to these technical points, some economical data such as the price of the substrate, the cost of transport and the possibility of continuous supply would be taken in consideration by the grower in order to be able to choose.