It was evaluated the quality and nutrient content of lady palm in four substrates made up of a mixture of shredded coconut fiber (FC) and commercial substrate Plantmax HT® (SC), in proportions of 0, 25, 50 and 75% of FC, in 35 liters containers, in a randomized block experiment with four replicates and three pots per plot, with one plant per pot. The plants were fertilized every three months alternating 25 g of 4-14-8 with 10 g of urea per pot, at planting and throughout the 24 months of the experimental period. Growth was evaluated by measuring the height of the initial stem (from the stem base to leaf insertion of the most recently expanded leaf), number of leaves in the original stem, number of offsets, number of leaves in offsets, offset height and nutrient content of last completely expanded leaf in the initial stem. The quality was evaluated by visual sensorial analysis using the criteria "I liked it"(a lot or a little) and "I would buy it"(yes or no). There was no significant difference on the growth characteristics among treatments, except on the number of leaves of the initial stem. Plants with the best acceptance were those grown in the mixture 50% FC and 50 % SC. None of the plants showed visual nutrient deficiency symptoms; the leaf nutrient content of healthy plants with market quality standards were: 17.80 - 18.29 g kg-1 of N; 0.66 - 0.81 g kg-1 of NO-3 ; 2.02 - 2.34 g kg-1 of P; 18.11 - 20.40 g kg-1 of K; 11.63 - 13.84 g kg-1 of Cl; 2.69 - 4.04 g kg-1 of Ca; 1.61 - 2.07 g kg-1 of S; 1.98 - 2.64 g kg-1 of Mg.
Rhapis excelsa; coconut husk; fertilizers