EFFECT OF COMPOST AND RATE OF MAGNESIUM AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE ON GROWTH OF FICUS AND HEDERA

Ficus elastica decora and Hedera canariensis ‘Marengo’ were potted in March of two successive years and were grown for seven months in a loam-based and an all-peat compost.
When a standard basedressing only was used, the growth, especially of Hedera, was more vigorous in loam than in peat.
However, when a standard base plus supplementary fertilisation was given, the growth of Ficus in peat was greater in both years.

When a basedressing of the slow-release fertiliser, magnesium ammonium phosphate (MagAmp 7N-17P-5K), was given only, the growth of Ficus was very satisfactory when 10 g/l were used, although growth was not as vigorous as that obtained with standard base plus supplementary fertilisation.
An optimum rate of magnesium ammonium phosphate for Hedera was 5 g/l.
Although growth was comparable to that induced by standard fertilisation in the second year, it was considerably less vigorous than that induced by it in the first year.

Ficus fertilised with magnesium ammonium phosphate tended to be more vigorous when grown in peat than in loam.
In Hedera plants were more vigorous in loam in the first year, but comparable to those in peat the second year.

Symposium on Potplants

J.C.R. Seager

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1973.31.24