DEVELOPMENT OF CORDYLINE ‘KIWI’ IN HYDROCULTURE

Plants grown hydroponically often differ morphologically from those grown in conventional potting mix.

Growth of Cordyline ‘Kiwi’ was examined in small transparent aero-hydroponic units which facilitate easy and accurate analysis of growth and root development.
Four plants were grown in each hydroculture unit (10 liter). Part of the nutrient solution was constantly broken up into small droplets with an electrical motor.
Each unit contained heating element which controlled the temperature of the solution.

Hydroponically grown Cordyline ‘Kiwi’ plants produced several lateral branches whereas in a conventional potting mix, no lateral branching is generally observed.

During the 4 months of the hydroculture experiment an average of 2 lateral branches were produced when the nutrient solution was kept at 23 °C whereas at 28 °C only 0.8 branches were produced.

Average nutrient uptake of a plant/day at 23 °C is (mg/day) 2.2 – NH₃, 20.2 – K, 2.1 – P, 42 – NO₃.

Water uptake 4 plants/day at 23 °C is 460 ± 40 ml 28 °C is 620 ± 50 ml

Symposium on Nutrition, Growing Techniques and Plant Substrates

A. Hagiladi, H. Soffer

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.178.42