Effect of Nutrient Solution on the Rooting and Sprouting of Garden Croton(codiaeum Variegatum).

The Garden Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is a tropical ornamental plant  sensitive to cold, limiting its growth beyond subtropical regions. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of honey in nutrient solutions on the rooting and sprouting of Garden Croton cuttings. An experimental setup was conducted using five treatment groups: control (distilled water), and honey concentrations of 1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, and 5 ml per 100 cl of solution. Each treatment was applied to a single plant placed in a labeled and light-protected bottle within a controlled greenhouse environment. Growth parameters measured included leaf count, leaf area, shoot number, shoot length, root number, and root length. The control group (distilled water) showed the best growth, producing the highest number of leaves (21.33), largest leaf area (7.23 cm²), highest shoot count (5.67), longest shoots (3.40 cm), and strongest root development (21 roots, 29.33 cm length). The 1 ml honey group exhibited moderate inhibition in all growth parameters, with reduced leaf count (6.67), shoot count (3.67), and root length (6.00 cm), though shoot elongation (4.17 cm) was slightly enhanced.
‎The 2 ml and 3 ml honey groups demonstrated significant suppression, with minimal leaf and shoot growth and no root formation. The 5 ml honey concentration completely inhibited leaf, shoot, and root development, indicating severe toxicity at high concentrations. The findings suggest that while low concentrations of honey (1 ml) may ‎have some stimulatory effects on shoot elongation, higher concentrations (≥2 ml) significantly inhibit overall plant development. Distilled water proved to be the most effective medium for optimal rooting and sprouting of Garden Croton cuttings.
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