Optimization of Soilless Substrates Composition in Anthurium Cut Flower Production

Anthurium is commonly cultivated through soilless culture in greenhouses, owing to its specific thermal and nutritional requirements. However, the high costs associated with conventional substrates necessitate the use of available, domestic, and inexpensive alternatives. In this study, light expanded clay aggregates (LECA) and its mixture with locally available materials such as rice husk, tea waste, and charcoal were utilized as substrates. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. After four months of cultivation, various morphological traits, including plant height, flower stem length and number, flowering time, flower stem fresh weight, leaf length and number, spadix length and diameter, spathe length and diameter, as well as physical traits such as bulk and particle density, humidity, water retention capacity, and porosity, were evaluated. Additionally, biochemical properties such as pH, EC, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and calcium of the substrates were assessed. The results indicated that the substrate containing a mixture of tea waste and LECA yielded the maximum plant height (35.5 cm), flower stem length (22 cm), number of flower stems (3.9), and number of leaves (15). Furthermore, this substrate exhibited the most appropriate physical properties, including the highest bulk (0.81 g/cm3), particle density (1.54 g/cm3), and humidity (66%). Conversely, the mixed substrate of LECA with rice husk demonstrated the maximum values of electrical conductivity (9.2 μS/cm), nitrogen (1.1%), and potassium (0.21%). Overall, the substrate composed of a mixture of tea waste and LECA not only reduces the costs associated with soilless systems but also enhances the quality and quantity of Anthurium cut flowers in greenhouses.