Development and Testing of Orchid Planting Materials using Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

Abstract

Thailand is the world's leading exporter of cut flowers, particularly tropical orchids. Planting materials play a crucial role in orchids production in Thailand. This study aims to study, develop, and test planting materials for orchids planting using waste materials from the oil palm industry. The planting materials were combined and tested with 3 different proportions of oil palm empty fruit bunches and cement (ratios: 2.5:10.5, 2.5:10, 2.5:9.5) and two sizes of oil palm crunch of 0.2 and 2.0 centimeter. Chemical and physical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium content, slake, water absorption, density, and strength from free fall drop testing were tested. The test conditions were repeated three times each. The tested results found that the combination of oil palm empty fruit bunches and cement with a ratio of 2.5:10 with of 2 centimeter of crunch size is suitable and can be a guideline further developed as a low-cost planting material for orchids.