Ex-vitro establishment of Phalaenopsis amabilis seedlings in different substrates

ABSTRACT. Eight substrates were evaluated for ex-vitro establishment of Phalaenopsis amabilis seedlings. They were: Fibraflor ® (commercial substrate), Turfa Fértil FG2® (commercial substrate), vermiculite, coconut fiber from the pericarp, decomposed pine bark, organic compost, sphagnum and shredded xaxim, in the establishment of seedlings of Phalaenopsis amabilis L., in combination, with and without immersion of the seedlings, after they were removed from the growth flasks, in Manzate 800 at a dosage of 1 g L1. The evaluated parameters were: the sum of the lengths of the two largest leaves, the sum of the lengths of the three largest roots and the percentage of surviving seedlings, evaluated at 190 days after planting. It was observed that there were significant differences between substrates, and sphagnum and shredded xaxim were the best in performance. The application of Manzate 800 showed interaction with substrates, but the isolated effect was not significant. Sphagnum is also an extractive product, but when it is impossible to obtain, an organic compost such as Turfa Fértil FG2 ® or Fibraflor ® can be used, with the necessary application of Manzate 800