Identifying the most suitable growing medium and fertilizer combination for the growing stage of Anthurium andraeanum ‘Lady-Jane-Lalani’

The effect of growing media and fertilizer on the ‘Lady Jane’ type Anthurium andraeanum cv. ‘Lalani’ was evaluated under net house conditions. Five different potting media with various combinations of coconut husk pieces, brick pieces, compost, cattle manure, sand and charcoal were used in the first experiment. Plants grown on a medium of coconut husk pieces only were used to test 4 different fertilizer combinations in the second experiment. Various combinations of water soluble, powder form, slow release and liquid fertilizers at different N:P:K ratios were tested. Results indicated that plants grown on a media of coconut pieces only showed the best performance for plant height, number of leaves and length of leaf petiole. The growing media consisting of Compost +Cattle manure + Sand (2:1:1/2), was best for initiation of new shoots. The fertilizer combination of water soluble fertilizer (N:P:K 20:20:20) + 5g of slow release granule fertilizer (N:P:K 14:14:14) + Albert's solution was best for all measured growth parameters. Thus coconut husk pieces supplemented with water soluble fertilizer (N:P:K 20:20:20) + 5g slow release granule fertilizer (N:P:K 14:14:14) + Albert's solution is recommended as the most suitable media and fertilizer combination for the growing stage of Anthurium andraeanum cv. ‘Lalani’ under local climatic conditions in net house with 70% shade.