Division of Ornamental Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post Office, Bangalore-560089, Kamataka. e-mail: aswath@iihr.kar.nic.in
The medium containing higher proportion of coco peat had good physico- chemical properties. The pH of the growing media decreased with increase in nutrient EC levels. The medium containing 100% coco peat supplied with nutrient solution having EC of 1.8 ds/m (E2) produced good quality flowers. The build up of EC was high in 100 % coco peat medium and low in normal growing medium. The phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and micro-nutrients in leaves were determined after four months of transplanting. Phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper and sodium contents in leaf were high in 100 % coco peat medium while potassium and calcium contents were at optimum level. However, magnesium, sulphur and iron contents were higher in normal growing medium. In general, the nutrient contents increased with increased coco peat proportion.
Coco peat, growing medium, electrical conductivity, gerbera
