Performance of potted Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida L.) in different growing media under wet temperate conditions

Investigations were carried out during the years 2006 and 2007 to study the effect of different combinations of vermicompost, cocopeat, leafmould, municipal solid waste, farm yard manure, sand and soil on three cultivars of vegetatively propagated pot grown Alstroemeria plants (Alstroemeria hybrida L.). A pot experiment was laid under glass house conditions in completely randomized design, consisting of five growing media i.e., soil + coco peat + vermicompost + FYM + sand, soil + MSW + leaf mould + FYM + sand, Mashobra peat + vermicompost + FYM + sand, Mashobra peat + MSW + FYM + sand and soil + sand + FYM (control) which were evaluated during two successive flushes. Cultivar Selection No-14 and Riana were found suitable for pot culture of Alstroemeria as balanced pot plants of both cultivars with greater number of cymes per inflorescence could be obtained. Growing media consisting of soil + cocopeat + vermicompost + FYM + sand in equal proportions by volume was found to be the best substrate for vegetative parameters like plant height, spread, and number of leaves per generative shoot. Advanced flowering with greater number of cymes per inflorescence, increased duration of flowering and better pot presentability were also recorded with the same media.