Effects of N,P,K on floral bud differentiation and flower quality of Cymbidium hybridum

Effects of N,P,K nutrients on floral bud differentiation and flower quality of Cymbidium hybridum were studied with an orthogonal experimental design. The results indicate that under the condition of this experiment, potassium(K)is the most important factor influencing floral bud differentiation and the difference in the number of floral bud among three levels is significant at P =0.05 level,followed by nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P). The effects of N,P,K on flower quality are different; the effect of N on the development of the pseudobulb, the floral bud as well as on flower quality is the most significant, and the effects of three levels of N on the number of florets per inflorescence and the length of inflorescence are significant at P =0.05 and P =0.01 level respectively. Among various flowering characteristics, the effects of P on the number of florets and K on the diameter of flower are greater. The optimum fertilization level of N,P and K is N₃P₂K₃, i.e., N∶P₂O _5:K ₂O=2.4∶1∶2.6.