WATER AND NUTRIENTS ABSORPTION FOR GROWING OREOPANAX CAPITATUS IN EXPANDED CLAY WITH RECIRCULATED SOLUTION

Oreopanax capitatus (Araliaceae) is a shrub producing large elliptic ornamental leaves sold on Flower Markets. To verify if suitable for greenhouse production in temperate climate, trials have been carried out, growing it in greenhouse and in expanded clay with recirculated solution. Two irrigation frequencies have been compared; water and nutrients absorption as well as leaves production and quality have been recorded.

It seems possible and profitable to grow O. capitatus in soilless culture in greenhouse. At 12 daily recirculations, plant produce 20–25 leaves per year, corresponding to 100–125 leaves per m².