Peat moss-substituted media for nursing stage of potted Nepenthes ampullaria plants production

Abstract

In searching for a peat moss-substituted media for nursing extra vitrum Nepenthes ampullaria plantlets in the commercial potted plant production process, the plantlets were planted in a tray filling with 5 media; peat moss, coconut coir, 4-month composted coconut coir, potting mix of 3:1 coconut coir: rice hull (by volume), potting mix of 1:1:1 coconut coir: rice hull: Green Ant™ composted filter cake (from sugar factory) (by volume), for 6 weeks. The whole plugs were later transplanted to 4-inch pots having coconut coir as potting media. For another 16 weeks, these pots were placed in a 50% shade saran house, with daily irrigation, without fertilizer application. It was found that the potting mix of 1:1:1 coconut coir: rice hull: composted filter cake can substitute peat moss during the nursing period when considered canopy height, canopy width and the width of the longest leaf with pitcher cup as well as the best aesthetic quality at the marketable stage; ie. pitcher cup/plant, size of pitcher cup and wing width of the longest pitcher cup.