New substrate for growing orchids: study of its potential use in plants of Laelia pulcherrima

Abstract

The use of new substrates, which do not lead to extinction of important species such as xaxim, has gained special attention to the cultivation of ornamental and exotic plants. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of using corn cob as substrate for growing orchids. Thus, we used plants of Laelia pulcherrima grown in pine bark (control) and corn cob. We evaluated the development and physicochemical characteristics. We assessed also the benefit of fertilization for the development of this species in both substrates. The corn cob had higher nutrient contents and higher water retention capacity than pine bark, as well as pH and porosity more appropriate. Plant development of L. pulcherrima on the cob was comparable to that obtained with pine and the use of fertilizer promoted the best growing, especially when the substrate used was the cob. Thus, it is recommend to use the same for the cultivation of this orchid.