Assessment of Growing Media on Vegetative, Flowering and Vase Life Characteristics of Lilium (Lilium longiflorum) cvs. Bach and Pavia in the Foothills of Himalayas

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different growing media on vegetative, flowering and vase life characteristics of two LA lily hybrids Bach and Pavia in 2 factorial randomized block design with three replications. Of the two factors, first factor was two varieties namely, Bach and Pavia and the second factor was five growing media including (1) garden soil, (2) cocopeat, (3) cocopeat + sand (1:1) and (4) garden soil + sand (1:1). However, bulbs of LA lily hybrids were planted in plastic crates containing different growing media with 10 bulbs in each crate, placed inside 50 percent shadenet house. Final plant height (116.63 cm.) and number of flower buds (7.27) was highest in cv. Pavia at 60 days after planting. However, quickest flower bud appearance (29.53days) and maximum vase life (11.26 days) was in cv. Bach. Among the potting media, cocopeat found to be superior for enhancing all characteristics along with both the cultivars.