Optimizing Nutrient Balance for Enhanced Productivity and Quality of Anthurium andreanum in Soilless Culture

Abstract

Anthurium andraeanum is an excellent plant for interior decor as well as a cut flower, especially for flower arrangements. An experiment was conducted to study the productivity and flower quality of anthurium andraeanum cultivated under net house conditions at the department of national botanic gardens, Peradeniya. There were three different nutrient combinations. F1- N: P: K 11:11:18 (granules) + N: P: K 6:30:30 (liquid) + organic liquid fertilizer i.e. Maxi crop (control), F2- N: P: K 15:05:25 (granules) + 10:20:40 (liquid) + trace elements (liquid), F3- 14:14:21(granule) + 20:20:20 (liquid) + trace elements (granule). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. All vegetative and flowering parameters differed significantly at 0.05 level. Maximum numbers of suckers per pots, leaves and flowers per pot were recorded in the second combination of fertilizers F2, N: P: K 15:05:25 (granules) + 10:20:40 (liquid) + trace elements (liquid). This study concludes that a combination of 5g slow-release granules (N: P: K 15:05:25) with water-soluble (N: P: K 10:20:40) and trace elements effectively enhances the growth and flower production of Anthurium andraeanum.