The yield of lisianthus, cultivar Flamenco Blue, grown in pots with three nutrient solutions and three pruning practices was evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, from July to October 2002. Three pruning practices were evaluated: the absence of pruning, pruning above the second and the third pair of leaves. Two of the nutrient solutions used were taken from the literature and one was formulated specifically for the lisianthus crop. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications and treatments arranged in a factorial design 3x3. The duration of the growing period, the number of stems, leaves and buds, height of stem, useful life of flowers, fresh and dry weight, and nutrient concentration in leaves were evaluated. No significant interactions were found among nutrient solutions and pruning practices, for growth variables. The nutrient solutions did not affect growth, but did for nutrient concentration in leaves. In the absence of pruning, the duration of growing period was shorter, the number of stems and leaves was lower and the height of the stem was higher. Pruning above the second or the third pair of leaves induced higher number of stems and leaves, smaller stem height and the higher yield of flowers.
Eustoma grandiflorum; floriculture; mineral nutrition
