High NO3-N to NH4-N Ratios Promote Growth and Flowering of a Hybrid Phalaenopsis Grown in Two Root Substrates

Abstract

Young, bare-root plants (three leaves, 15 cm in leaf spread) from a vegetatively propagated clone of Phalaenopsis Blume x Taisuco Kochdian were imported in late May and planted in a mix consisting of three parts medium-grade Douglas fir bark and one part each of perlite and coarse peat (by volume) or in pure Chilean sphagnum moss. All plants were given 221 N, 124 P, 515 K, 100 Ca, and 50 Mg (all in mg·L−1) when being irrigated. The total N varied from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, to 100% NO3-N with the balance being NH4-N. Plants were fertigated when the substrate became dry. For both substrates, as the percentage of NO3-N increased, plants produced slightly fewer leaves. Regardless of the NO3-N to NH4-N ratio, plants grown in moss produced one extra leaf than those planted in the bark mix during an 8-month period. There was a tendency of increasing top leaf length and width as well as the whole-plant leaf spread as NO3-N increased from 0% to 100% in either substrate. Plants receiving 50% or more NO3-N in either substrate spiked and flowered 2 weeks earlier than those given 25% or 0% NO3-N. When grown in the bark mix, flower count, flower diameter, and inflorescence length all increased as NO3-N increased from 0% to 75%. Flower stem (inflorescence, 5 cm from the base) became progressively thicker as NO3-N increased from 0% to 100%. Only two among the 24 plants grown in moss and receiving 100% NH4-N bloomed. These results suggest that Phalaenopsis does not grow well with 100% NH4-N and must be provided with NO3-N at no less than 50%, preferably 75%, of the total N for improved growth and flowering.