The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca), complementary to the complete fertilization established, on production, quality and postharvest shelf life of floral stems of gerbera as cut flower harvested 117 days after transplant. The experiment consisted of a combination of three doses of N.L−1 substrate (0.07 g, 0.15 g and 0.2 g) and three doses of Ca.L−1 substrate (0.02 g; 0.03 g and 0.04 g) and was conducted in a greenhouse in a bifactorial arrangement with an additional control treatment. Control plants were not supplemented with N or Ca. Both elements were diluted in water and applied manually every 15 days. Highest flower yields were obtained with application 0.2 g de N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca.L−1 substrate. Stem length, stem diameter, flower diameter, and longevity, relative fresh weight and solution uptake were highest in gerbera fertilized with 0.2 g de N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca.L−1 substrate. Applying every 15 days, 0.2 g of N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g of Ca.L−1 substrate resulted in higher yields, better quality and postharvest shelf life of floral stems of gerbera as cut flower harvested 117 days after transplant.

RESUMO A estaquia é um método muito eficiente de propagação de plantas. Objetivando avaliar o efeito da época de coleta do material (verão e primavera) e concentrações de ácido indolbutírico (AIB : 0; 1500; 3000; 6000mg L -1

Success in production and quality of gerbera flower stalks over time depends on environmental factors and on appropriate fertilization procedures. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the production and quality of flower stalks of gerberas as cut flower cultivated for 28 months (with 25 months of harvest) in a pine bark-based substrate supplemented with different doses of nitrogen and calcium. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Three doses of nitrogen (N) (0.07 g, 0.15 g and 0.20 g L-1 substrate) and three doses of calcium (Ca) (0.02 g, 0.03 g and 0.04 g L-1 substrate) were applied every 15 days along the cultivation period. The control was considered an additional treatment to which neither N nor Ca was supplemented to the plants in the pots. Highest flower yields and best flower quality were obtained in months in which the temperatures were in the range of 20 ºC to 25 ºC. The highest number of floral stalks and the largest diameter of the capitulum had a significant quadratic adjustment according to N doses. The maximum values were obtained with 0.14 g of N L-1 substrate. Whereas for Ca fertilization, a significant positive linear adjustment was determined, i.e., the highest values were obtained with the highest dose (0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate). There was a monthly variation in the yield and quality of cut gerberas grown in commercial substrate based on pine bark regardless of the different doses of nitrogen and calcium used in the experiment.

Gerbera is a flowering species with relevance to the cut flower market. Understanding nutritional requirements of the species is important to improve fertilization procedures. In the present work, our objective was to evaluate the influence of different doses of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) on the growth and development of gerbera cultivated in pots as a cut flower. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in a bifactorial design, with an additional treatment consisting of the combination of three N (0.07, 0.15 and 0.2 g L-1 substrate) and Ca (0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 g L-1 substrate) doses applied every 15 days. Control plants were not supplemented with either N or Ca. No significant interaction between N and Ca doses was observed. The highest number of flower stalks was obtained with 0.15 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate. Flower diameter, plant leaf area and total chlorophyll contents were at a maximum of 0.14 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate. N and Ca doses influenced in an independent manner the growth and development of gerberas as a cut flower cultivated in pots, and we determined that its fertilization should occur every 15 days with 0.34 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate.

Hippeastrum spp. are herbaceous species belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, widely marketed worldwide as indoor plants. Aiming to characterize chemically and physically and to compare five substrates in acclimatization, micropropagated seedlings of Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium (Herb), with an average of four roots, two leaves and bulbs with a 4.7mm diameter, were transplanted to 50-cell polyethylene trays each containing the following substrates: T1 - vermiculite, T2 - carbonized rice husk (CRH), T3 - commercial (peat + vermiculite + CRH), T4 - coconut fiber, and T5 - composted Pinus bark. After transplantation, the trays were kept for 17 days at a greenhouse with intermittent irrigation by nebulization, and 80 days at a greenhouse on a bench with intermittent irrigation by capillarity. The experimental design was randomized blocks with seven replications and ten seedlings per plot. The acclimatization of seedlings was efficient for the substrates tested despite the differences verified by chemical and physical characterization. The mean survival rate was 96%. However, seedlings acclimatized in the T5 substrate showed a qualitative improvement due to a higher formation of roots, leaves and fresh matter.