Effect of different potting media on growth of a hanging ornamental plant (Tradescantia sp.)

Normal field soils are not suitable for container media unless the structure is modified by adding other forms of physical conditioners. A study was therefore conducted on different potting mixtures and their relation between their physical parameters i.e. AFP (air-filled porosity) and CMC (container moisture capacity) and to ascertain which factors are responsible for the growth of a hanging potted plant Tradescantia. The five soil mixtures were 100% cocopeat, 100% topsoil, 1 part cocopeat : 1 part topsoil, 1 part cocopeat : 1 part sand, and 1 part cocopeat : 1 part topsoil : 1 part sand. The experiment proved that soil mixture 1 part cocopeat : 1 part topsoil: 1 part sand was significantly better than other soil mixtures. It gave significantly higher vegetative fresh weight (1,246 g), significantly more number of stems (98) and secondary branches (33) as well as number of leaves (321) per plant (p 0.005).