Growth of Dieffenbachia amoena ‘Tropic Snow’ in Growing Media Containing Sugarcane Bagasse and Sawdust Vermicompost

Abstract

Vermicompost produced from sugarcane bagasse (SBV) or sawdust (S) were substituted at a range of different concentration in soilless bedding plant container medium, as a peat: vermiculite: perlite (6:3:1), to evaluate their effects on the growth of Dieffenbachia amoena in the greenhouse. Dieffenbachia amoena was grown in container medium PE: VE: P (6:3:1), in that peat substituted with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% (by volume) SBV. The control consisted of PE: VE: P (6:3:1) alone without SBV or SV. Plants were frequently treated with a nutrient solution for seven months. The greatest growth of Dieffenbachia amoena plant resulted from substitution of 60% SBV or SV instead of peat in PE: VE: P (6:3:1) potting mixtures. We concluded that vermicompost of sugarcane bagasse or sawdust was high quality substitutes for peat.