Survival and growth of selected ornamental crops in different soilless growing media in an Outdoor Modular Green Wall System
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Abstract
Soilless growing media composed of coconut coir dust and vermicompost (2:1), with or without the addition of vermiculite and coconut husk-enriched biochar, supported high survival rates across all ornamental species studied, ranging from 83% to 89%. Among the four species, Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) and Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) showed the highest suitability for vertical wall planting, with 96% and 67% survival rates, respectively. In contrast, survival was lowest in coconut coir dust alone (30%) and in commercial potting medium (24%). Combining coconut coir dust and vermiculite alone also resulted in a moderately low survival rate (63%). Growth parameters, including leaf count, leaf area, plant height, plant and root fresh and dry weights, canopy cover, and chlorophyll content, were generally improved in Mayana (Coleus scutellarioides), Croton (Codiaeum variegatum), Lantana (Lantana camara), and Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) by media treatments containing vermicompost, with or without vermiculite and biochar, indicating that these soilless combinations enhance plant performance.
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