Effect of the Growing Media and Manure Types on Growth and Development of Episcia cupreata (Hook.) Hanst

Abstract

Episcia cupreata is a potted plant that is commonly used to decorate the place, both indoors and for small gardens. The effects of growing media and type of manure on the growth and development of Episcia cupreata (Hook.) Hanst. were studied for production cost reduction purposes. This study was divided into two experiments. Experiment 1 was a study of the influence of growing media on growth and development of E. cupreata. Plants were grown in various growing media i.e. 1) coconut coir, 2) rice husk ash, 3) coconut coir : rice husk ash (1 : 1),
4) coconut coir : coconut husk chips (1 : 1), and 5) coconut coir : rice husk ash : coconut husk chips (1 : 1 : 1).
The experimental design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 replications. The results indicated that using coconut coir mixed with coconut husk chips (1 : 1) had the most significant influence on growth and development of E. cupreata in terms of plant height, number of stolons, root length, flower diameter and number of nodes with new stolons. Experiment 2 was an investigation of the most suitable manure type to stimulate the growth of E. cupreata. Five manure types were selected for the study, which was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 6 replications. The following fertilizer types and amounts were applied to the plants:
1) no fertilizer; 2) osmocote fertilizer, 11 grams; 3) cow manure, 77 grams; 4) chicken manure, 66 grams; and
5) vermicompost, 83 grams. Each treatment was mixed with growing media for 16 weeks. The result showed that chicken manure application had the significantly biggest stimulatory effect on the number of nodes, number of leaves, number of stolons, and root length. However, plants supplied with osmocote fertilizer showed darker leaf color than did plants that received other treatments. When costs were considered, it was found that chicken manure provided increased stolon quantity and reduced the cost of production by about three baht per pot.