2014 conference paper
Characterization of nutrient disorders of Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Lime Light' in silica-sand culture
International symposium on growing media and soilless cultivation, 1034, 607–613.
Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Lime Light’ were grown in silica-sand culture to induce and catalog nutritional disorder symptoms. Plants were grown with a complete, modified Hoagland’s solution (macronutrients in mM, micronutrients in µM): 15.0 NO3-N, 1.0 PO4-P, 6.0 K, 5.0 Ca, 2.0 Mg, 2.0 SO4-S, 72.0 Fe, 18.0 Mn, 3.0 Cu, 3.0 Zn, 45.0 B, and 0.1 Mo. The control plants were grown using a nutrient formula containing all essential nutrients. Each nutrient deficiency treatment was induced by using the complete formula minus only one essential nutrient. Reagent grade chemicals and deionized water of 18-mega ohms purity were used to formulate treatment solutions. Toxicity of boron was also induced by increasing the element 10X higher than the complete formula. Plants were automatically irrigated every 2 hours, drained from the pot bottom and solution captured for reuse. The nutrient solutions were replaced weekly. Researchers monitored plants daily to document and catalog sequential onset of symptoms. Symptoms of N, P, Ca, Fe deficiency and B toxicity were the first disorders to exhibit in Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Limelight’. The chartreuse coloration of this cultivar compounded difficulties in assessing symptomology of some nutrient disorders, particularly those that manifested with yellowing discoloration or chlorosis.