Studies on the Nutrition of Ornamental Plants Iv. Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on Growth and Flowering of Bougainvillea and Gerbera

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on growth and flowering of Bougainvillea glabra cv. Partha and Gerbera jamesonii cv. Single Pink was studied in sand culture. Bougainvillea-lncreased amount of nitrogen (3N), phosphorus (3P) and potassium (3K) promoted length and diameter of shoot, produced larger number of leaves and branches. The treated plants (3N and 3P) also developed larger number of bracts of increased size. Low nitrogen (1/10N) and phosphorus (1/10P) resulted in marked reduction in growth and flowering, the effect of potassium deficiency (1/10K) was less pronounced. Gerbera-High level of nitrogen (3N) and phosphorus (3P) proved very effective in increasing the number of leaves and suckers and in producing larger number of ‘head’ of increased size. Low dose of N and P, on the other hand, developed conspicuous symptoms of deficiency, reduced growth, and suppressed flowering, low potassium also adversely affected flowering.