Effects of Different Substrates on the Leaf Cuttage and Seed Germination of Echeveria Plants

PurposesTo provide guidance for the large-scale reproduction and production management of Echeveria plants.

MethodThe seeds of E. laui, the leaves of E. albicans, E. cv. mebina, E. amoena, E. setosa var. deminuta and three substrates (V_{peat soil 422#}∶V_perlite=3∶2, V_{peat soil 680#}∶V_perlite=3∶2 and V_{local red loam}∶V_perlite=3∶2) were chose as materials, the physical and chemical properties of three substrates and their effects on the germination rate of E. laui and the rooting rate, bud diameter of the other four varieties were studied in this study.

ResultThe unit weight, total porosity, aeration porosity, water-holding porosity, organic matter, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of the three substrates were different, and the pH value and EC value were according to the growth requirements of Echeveria plant. The three substrates had no significant effect on the rooting rate (P>0.05), but significant effect on the diameter of new buds and the germination rate of seeds (P<0.05). There were significant (P<0.05) or extremely significant (P<0.01) differences in the rooting rate and the diameter of new buds among those varieties, and there was an interaction effect between the varieties and substrates. In the physical and chemical properties of the matrixes, the common factors that have a significant impact on the germination and rooting rate of Echeveria plants are organic matter content, nitrogen element content and water-holding porosity, and aeration porosity is the factor that has a significant impact on the growth rate.

ConclusionThe mixture of peat and perlite is suitable for leaf insertion and seeds germination of the genus Echeveria, and better results can be obtained by screening different properties peat for different Echeveria varieties. In addition, the selection of the matrix with different physical and chemical properties in different growth period can obtain better breeding effect.