Suitable Planting Materials for the Growth of Pe-Tsai Chinese Cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) And Balsam (Balsamina hortensis)

Abstract

Planning materials, using coconut dust: coarse sand: clayey soil (Rangsit soil series) at the ratio of 3:1:2 , 3:1:1 and 3:1:0:5 by volume, and combinations of chemical fertilizer (15-15-15) at the rate of 0, 10 and 20 g/pot and castor meal 0, 25 and 50 g/pot were tested for the optimum growth of Chinese cabbage and balsam grown in 12 litre pot (or so-called in the market as 12-inch in diameter pot size). The experimental results showed that the 3:1:1 and 3:1:0:5 planting materials were suitable for the growth of Chinese cabbage and balsam. In Chinese cabbage, 3:1:1 planting material applied with 50 g or 25 g of castor meal/pot combined with 20 g chemical fertilizer/pot were shown to be among the best mixture. The alternative of the above combination could be 3:1:0:5 planting material applied with castor meal and chemical fertilizer at the rate of 50 g and 20 g/pot respectively. In balsam, 3:1:1 planting materials applied with 50 g of castor meal/pot and 10 g of chemical fertilizer/pot gave the highest growth. Second to this combination was 3:1:0.5 planting materials applied with 50 g of castor meal/pot together with 10 or 20 g of chemical fertilizer/pot.