EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FERTILIZATION LEVELS ON IBERIS SEMPERFLORENS POT CULTURE

The genus Iberis (family Brassicaceae) includes 30 species of annual and perennial herbs and subshrubs that grow in a wide area from western and central Europe to the Mediterranean Basin. Iberis semperflorens L. is a perennial evergreen subshrub (30-60 cm high) endemic to southern Italy and Sicily. Due to its abundance of white flowers and extensive flowering period occurring during the winter months, the species has good potential for pot cultivation and outdoor ornamental use in Mediterranean-type climates. Reliable and efficient propagation methods for I. semperflorens nursery production have been determined. However, there is limited information on cultural techniques of this winter flowering species. The aim of this research was to compile fertilizer pot culture recommendations for this unexploited Mediterranean species. Plug plants bearing 10-12 leaves were transplanted into plastic pots (16 cm in diameter) containing a 3 peat: 1 perlite growing medium fertilized with various levels of Osmocote 16 N – 8 P – 10 K. (0.75, 1.5, 3.5 g L^-1). Plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of inflorescences per plant were monitored during the growing cycle. Our results suggest a good adaptation of I. semperflorens to pot cultivation and significant relation between fertilization levels and flowering response.