Standardization of Potting Media Composition for Pot Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different potting media compositions on growth and flowering of pot mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. Syn. Dendranthema grandiflora) cv. Sadhbhavana. Potting media compositions were comprised of five media viz.  soil, vermicompost, cocopeat, perlite and vermiculite in different proportions (v/v). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated thrice with five pots per treatment. The results revealed that media comprising cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1 v/v) recorded maximum plant height, number of primary and secondary branches per plant and plant spread. Significantly earliest bud appearance (85.95 days), colour break stage (96.13 days) and 50% flowering (105.00 days) with longest blooming period (60.13 days) and highest number of flowers per plant (146.13) were also recorded in the same media composition.  Maximum flower diameter was recorded in media composition cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1v/v) which was statistically at par with vermiculite + vermicompost (2:1 v/v). Results of this study indicate that certain chemical and physical properties of potting media changed with the change in composition and using cocopeat + vermicompost 2:1 v/v as media is best for production of pot mum cv. Sadhbhavana with good growth and flowering attributes.