The Effects of Different Growing Media on Growth, Flowering and Quality of Petunia grandiflora

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of growing media on physiology, flowering behaviour and longevity of potted petunia plants (Petunia grandiflora Juss.) under green house condition. A total of 30 potted petunia plants were used in this experiment and five different growing media namely top soil (control), vermicompost, biochar, cocopeat and peatmoss were tested. Leaf area, lateral branching, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate significantly increased when the plant was grown in peatmoss and cocopeat. The highest length of lateral branch was recorded in the control treatment. In addition, peatmoss and cocopeat medium increased the number of flower, flower diameter, weight of individual flower and petal thickness significantly. Furthermore, chlorophyll a & b contents in leaves, carotenoids and anthocyanin content in flowers were also increased significantly with peatmoss and cocopeat applications. Ethylene production was reduced significantly and flower longevity of potted petunia plants increased in different growing media. There was a positive correlation between petal thickness and flower senescence, and between anthocyanin content with flower senescence in potted petunia plants. It can be concluded that peatmoss and cocopeat growing media improved the growth, quality and longevity of potted petunia flowers under green house condition.