Comparative performance of peace lily (Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum (Liebm.) Engl.) under varying shade levels and growing media

The floral performance of Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum (Liebm.) Engl. plants were evaluated under different shade intensities and growing media. The study was carried out over 2 consecutive years (First crop from 01/04/2022 to 31/03/2023 and the second crop from 01/04/2023 to 15/05/2024) and the data on different floral parameters like days taken for spathe initiation, days taken for full bloom of the spathe, length of flowering stalk, length of spathe, width of spathe, length of spadix and bloom life were collected. Three shade levels (50 %, 70 % and 85 %) and 4 potting media combinations were used to evaluate various floral parameters. The pooled data from plants grown under 85 % shade (E2) showed early (288.21 days) flowering, whereas the longest flowering stalk (57.29 cm) length and extended bloom life (31.62 days) were seen in plants grown under 70 % shade. Among the potting media, M2 (soil: sand: FYM: perlite, 2:1:1:1) promoted early flowering (288.36 days), better floral traits and longer bloom duration (31.76 days).