Natural growth stimulants for Sanchezia spp. stem cuttings

Sanchezia spp is an important ornamental plant in Sri Lanka. The species is also grown as a medicinal plant in other countries. This investigation was aimed at evaluating the growth and development of Sanchezia spp stem cuttings with the treatment of Coconut water, moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) leaf extract and Bee honey as natural growth stimulants. Cuttings were planted without dipping in any solution (control: T1), water (T2), coconut water (T3), Bee honey (T4) and moringa leaf extract (T5). The outcome of the study revealed that stem cuttings dipped in Bee honey had higher leaf greenness (SPAD reading), plant height and number of roots. The maximum root length and higher root dry weight were observed when the stem cuttings were dipped in moringa leaf extract. Most of the growth parameters including number of leaves, total plant fresh weight, and root and shoot dry weights were superior when stem cuttings were dipped in coconut water compared to the rest of the treatments. Therefore, coconut water was considered the most suitable natural growth stimulants for treating the stem cuttings of Sanchezia spp.