Abstract

CRUZ-CASTILLO, J. G. et al. Vermicompost and postharvest stages of spathe development of 'Green Goddess' calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica (L) K. SPRENG) in tropical conditions. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.2, pp.207-212. ISSN 2007-4034.

Studies with the 'Green Goddess' callas were carried out in a tropical highland area. Potted plants were grown under 35% shade with several vermicompost types: coffee pulp; coffe pulp + bovine manure; coffee pulp + chicken manure + sugar cane straw. Other treatments were coffee pulp + chemical fertilizer (12(N)-11(P)-18(K)-3 mg) + Organozyma^® (natural growth biostimulator). Leaf area emerged shoots number, and floral peduncle lenght were significantly higher in vermicompost treated plants than those chemically treated with fertilizers and Organozyma^®. Flower peduncles from treated plants were harvested and put in glass flasks, and all treatments were statistically similar in postharvest longevity. Using a temperature sensor, a total of 1,717 heat hours of 7 °C were needed from 15 cm of length plants until harvest. The maximum, minimum and all day average temperatures per month during the growth period of the crop were 21.1 °C (October), 7.8 °C (December) and 16.6 °C (November), respectively. In a different study, a harvest index for 'Green Goddess' calla was established. When the spathe was open enough to observe the spadix, the postharvest longevity was 37 days without any flower quality decrement.

Keywords : calla lily; substrates; vermicompost; calla harvest.