Soilless Agriculture in Indoor Ornamental Plant Production

Abstract

Indoor ornamental plants are plants found in most environments we live in. There are plant species with very different leaf, flower and stem characteristics in indoor ornamental plants. In every stage of indoor ornamental plant production, soilless agriculture provides convenience. Solid media used in soilless agriculture are widely used as rooting, seed germination and seedling production media. Substrate culture, which we call solid media, is divided into two as organic and inorganic solid media. Organic solid media include many organic substances such as peat, coconut shells (cocopeat), burnt rice hulls, tree barks, sawdust, plant leaves. Inorganic solid media include many inorganic substances such as rockwool, glass wool, perlite, sand, pumice stone, volcanic tuff. In addition to solid media, water culture is also widely used in ornamental plant production. The nutrient solution to be used in solid media or water culture is also very important. When preparing the nutrient solution, the EC and pH values of the nutrient element sources may vary depending on the EC value of the water used and the chemical compositions. These values may vary depending on the indoor ornamental plants to be produced.