Articles
FLOWER AND GROWTH EVALUATION OF GERBERA CULTIVATED ON PERLITE IN AN OPEN HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
Article number
548_77
Pages
625 – 630
Language
English
Abstract
The growth and flowering of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) was studied in an open hydroponic system under the climatic conditions of Northern Greece.
Gerbera plants (cvs.
Molina and Mirabella) were planted in late fall in 12 l pots (1 plant per pot) containing straight perlite.
Pots with plants were maintained on benches in a greenhouse with controlled environmental conditions.
The nutrient solution was provided 8 times per day at 2-hour intervals with the aid of a computerized unit.
Each potted plant received daily from 800 to 1200 ml of nutrient solution depending on the season.
Flower production started approximately 2 months after potting and production data were taken in the following 10-month period.
Number and length of flower stems were recorded as well as number of leaves.
In addition, the time needed from flower bud appearance to flower stem harvest was calculated.
Also, the amount of drain water daily and composition of the drain water of the major elements such as nitrogen (NH4+, NO3–), phosphorus and potassium were estimated in a 4-week period in late spring and early fall.
In general, the concentration of NH4+ and P was dicreased in the drain water, while that of NO3- and K was increased.
The drain water was approximately 15% of the daily applied nutrient solution.
Cultivar Molina produced more flowers than cv.
Lilabella.
Differences in length and quality of flowers and time of flower development were also found between the two cultivars tested.
Formation of new leaves, length and width of old leaves were increased in time for both cultivars.
Gerbera plants (cvs.
Molina and Mirabella) were planted in late fall in 12 l pots (1 plant per pot) containing straight perlite.
Pots with plants were maintained on benches in a greenhouse with controlled environmental conditions.
The nutrient solution was provided 8 times per day at 2-hour intervals with the aid of a computerized unit.
Each potted plant received daily from 800 to 1200 ml of nutrient solution depending on the season.
Flower production started approximately 2 months after potting and production data were taken in the following 10-month period.
Number and length of flower stems were recorded as well as number of leaves.
In addition, the time needed from flower bud appearance to flower stem harvest was calculated.
Also, the amount of drain water daily and composition of the drain water of the major elements such as nitrogen (NH4+, NO3–), phosphorus and potassium were estimated in a 4-week period in late spring and early fall.
In general, the concentration of NH4+ and P was dicreased in the drain water, while that of NO3- and K was increased.
The drain water was approximately 15% of the daily applied nutrient solution.
Cultivar Molina produced more flowers than cv.
Lilabella.
Differences in length and quality of flowers and time of flower development were also found between the two cultivars tested.
Formation of new leaves, length and width of old leaves were increased in time for both cultivars.
Authors
T. Syros, A. Economou, E. Exarchou, U. Schmidt
Keywords
Gerbera jamesonii, hydroponics, substrate
Online Articles (82)