The effect of different culture mediums on growth and cell structure of Heliconia psittacorum

The effects of four different culture medium on the growth, cut flower yields, leaf structure and ultramicroscopic structure of Heliconia psittacorum cells were studied. The results showed that the mixture of yellow soil and peat was the best medium, followed by the field soil. When grown in the two media, H. psittacorum produced green leaves and high yields of cut flowers. Also, the leaf cells were normally developed. However, the basic media, eg. the mixture of yellow soil and peat and mushroom compost or the mixture of yellow soil and mushroom compost and sand, inhibited the growth of plants. The leaves showed symptoms of chlorosis, the leaf cells were arranged densely, the chloroplasts were damaged to some extents. This resulted in low yields and poor quality of cut flowers.