Response of Foliar Application of Nitrogen on Flowering in Cymbidium Hybrid

Cymbidium orchids are by far the most popular orchids grown in cooler climates around the world. Cymbidiums are on top among all orchids for commercial flower sales throughout the world. Usage of fertilizers should depend on stage of growth. During vegetative growth, large quantities of nitrogen are required while during flowering, nitrogen should be reduced and amount of phosphate should be increased. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of foliar application of nitrogen on flowering of Cymbidium hybrid Show Girl grown in polyhouse. Results showed that the spike length and rachis length significantly increased over control with increasing concentration of nitrogen and found maximum length of 45.0 and 30.25 cm, respectively in the treatment N20: P₅: K₅@0.3%. However, number of flowers/spike and number of spikes/clump significantly increased over control with increasing concentrations of nitrogen and found maximum of 5.5 and 2.75, respectively in the treatment N₁₅: p₅: K₅ @ 0.3%. The treatment N₂₀: p₅:K₅ @ 0.3% recorded highest nitrogen content in leaf (10.1 g/kg) while potassium content (15.0 g/kg"¹) was highest in treatment N_s: P_s: K₅ @ 0.3%. A positive linear relationship was found between nitrogen content of leaves and spike length, rachis length, number of flowers/spike and number of spikes/clump.