• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2008

This purpose of this study was to examine the effect of planting density, growing medium and strength of a nutrient solution (National Horticultural Research Institute's nutrient solution: HRI's) on the growth and development of Oriental hybrid lily 'Le Reve' in a box cultivation. The planting density with 14, 18 and 22 bulbs had sprouting one day earlier than other treatments. Planting density of 22 bulbs flowered first, while six bulbs flowered the last, indicating that higher planting densities led earlier flowering. The increasing planting density increased stem length of cut flowers. On the other hand, cut flower quality was improved when the planting density was lower. The incidence of physiological disorders such as blasting was more frequent in planting density of 22, 18, and 14, indicating that higher planting densities caused higher incidences of physiological disorders. All planting densities except 22 bulbs displayed superior results in width, weight, number, and scale weight of the bulbs. Greater planting densities led to inferior bulb enlargement and an increased decomposition rate. pH decreased in all treatments after the bulb enlargement and decreased more as the planting density increased. Contents of P, K, Ca, and Mg increased, while contents of K and Ca decreased, as the planting density increased. The rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment was better than others, but did not show that much of a difference. Moreover, in bulbs enlargement after cut flower harvest, lily medium and perlite+peat moss treatments showed superior results, and decomposition rate was the greatest in the rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment. In the HRI's solution strength treatment from the period of flower bud emergence to flower harvest, higher solution strengths gave better cut flower quality in terns of length, weight, and number of flowers. The non-treated control and one third strength of a HRI's solution hastened flowering, indicating that lower strengths led to earlier flowering. According to the results of leaf analysis as affected by solution strength during the flower harvest, absorption rates of N and K were greater when the strength was higher, and Ca and Mg showed the same tendency. On the other hand, the absorption rate of P was the lowest in all treatments.