Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

LECTURE- 25
ANTHURIUM
TOPICS
1. Introduction
2. Anthurium production – world scenario
3. Plant morphology
4. Available germplasm
5. Varieties and classification
6. Growth and development
7. Growing environment
8. Growing structures
9. Physiological problems
10. Growing media

INTRODUCTION
Anthurium is an evergreen, tropical herbaceous plant cultivated for its colourful spathe
and unusual attractive foliage.
Originating in American tropics,
The genus Anthurium has 600 species, which are distributed worldwide.
Among the number of species available, the most popular and economically important
species are Anthurium andreanum and A. Scherzerianum, which posses’ attractive long-
lasting inflorescence.
Several other species like A. Magnificium, A. Digitatum, A. Crystallinum, A.
Watermaliense, A. Clarinervium and A. Hookeri are grown for their excellent foliage.
The Anthurium belongs to family Araceae.
Derives its name from Greek language ‘Anthos’ means ‘flower’ and ‘Oura’ means ‘tail’
indicating the flower with a tail.

ANTHURIUM PRODUCTION – WORLD SCENARIO

Anthurium ranked eleventh in the global flower trade is next only to orchids among the
tropical flowers.
Until 1970, Hawaii was the world’s leading producer and exporter of Anthurium flowers.
In the last ten years, the Hawaiian Anthurium industry has declined because of bacterial
blight.
This is one of the major problems the Anthurium growers face worldwide.

1 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Presently, the Netherlands is the world’s leading producer and exporter.

The Dutch production is concentrated during May to October because of bright light
intensity during these months.
The preferred colours in Dutch markets are orange and red followed by white and pink.
Germany is the single largest importer of Dutch Anthuriums followed by Italy and
France.
Mauritius is the second largest producer and exporter of Anthuriums.
During the last ten years, the Anthurium flowers from Hawaii are exported to the main
land United States of America or to Japan.
Anthurium is also produced commercially in Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Sri
Lanka, Singapore and Taiwan.
In India, Anthurium cultivation, which was mainly a hobby, is transformed into a
commercial business by enterprising coffee and tea planters, who were initially
responsible for bringing many exotic varieties into India.
The coastal belts of south India, Eastern and Western Ghats and North-East hilly regions
are potential area where Anthurium cultivation can be taken up on a large scale.
Bestowed with natural wealth, the coffee belt along the Coorg district in Karnataka as
many as 100 Anthurium growers, who have formed an Anthurium club to promote and
safeguard the interest of Anthurium cultivation.
The Coorg Anthuriums are presently marketed in nearly cities like Bangalore,
Mangalore, Mysore, Goa, etc., from where they reach other flower markets in Delhi,
Mumbai and Kolkata.
Anthurium cultivation on commercial scale is also concentrated around Pune, Nashik,
Mumbai, Trivendrum, Cochin, etc. Sensing the potential of this crop, corporate houses
are also enthused to cultivate exotic varieties imported mostly from Hawaii or the
Netherlands.
De Orchids and Anthura (Mumbai), Noel Agri-tech (Mangalore), Eden Flora (Bengaluru)
are few such enterprises.

PLANT MORPHOLOGY
 Anthurium andreanum a perennial with creeping, climbing or arborescent stem s
with lots of aerial roots.
 The stem is highly condensed and is not visible during early growing period. As
plants grow the stems become noticeable with distinct node and internodal regions.
 The roots are fleshy, thick and the root biomass is more when compared to the
shoot biomass.

2 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

 The lamina portion of the leaf is attached to a long petiole from where, the mid rib
and lateral veins originate in a radiant fashion. The leaves are coppery green in
early stages, which turn to dark green as they mature.
 The attractive colourful plant that is traded is actually a modification of the leaf,
which is botanically called ‘spathe’.
 The heart shaped spathe appears on a long flower stalk and a number of veins that
originate from the junction of the spathe and the flower stalk. The veins are
interconnected with secondary and tertiary veins.
 A cylindrical fleshy ‘spadix’ originates from the same junction and produces a
number of bisexual flowers (150-250 flowers) which are arranged in concentric
whorls.
 The female part of the flower matures first (protogynous), which can be noticed by
nectar like secretions in the form of shining droplets on the flowers.
 The anthers dehisce at a later stage forcing the flowers to cross pollinate.
 When the stigmatic surfaces are wet and receptive, pollen from another
flower/variety/species can be applied to pollinate the flowers.
 After successful pollination, the spadix enlarges and turns dark green in colour; the
spathe also loses its original pigmentation and turns green by producing enough
chlorophyll pigments.
 The product of fertilization i.e. the fruit – is a berry which pops out of the spadix on
maturity. The seed is covered by juicy, mucilaginous pulp, which needs to be
removed, when the seeds are sown.
 Anthurium plants normally grow epiphytically (on trees),
 Some times epileptically (on rocks) or
 Terrestrially (on the ground).
 Epiphytical Anthurium grows on the trunks of the trees or on the rocks, but they are
not tree parasites. They use them as a foundation or supporting material.
 They had an aerial root system, which absorbs nutrients & also moisture from the
air. Since the Anthurium roots are naturally in contact with the outside air.

TAXONOMY:
 Family : Araceae
 Sub family :Othideae
 Order Alismatales within the Araceae family.

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 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

 The common feature of the Araceae family is

 The typical cup shaped inflorescence,
 The arum consists of the ‘Spathe’ & the ‘Spadix’.

AVAILABLE GERMPLASM
The genus Anthurium can be categorized into two distinct groups –
o Flowering types and
o Foliage types.
Although some Anthurium species flowers are inconspicuous and unattractive, they have
unique velvety attractive foliage.
Such Anthurium is grown as foliage potted plants.
The flowering group products remarkably attractive spathe and colourful spadices, but
the foliage may not be so attractive.
The species that are classified as foliage types and flowering types are;

FLOWERING TYPE
Anthurium andreanum, A. seherzerianum, A. omaturm, etc.
FOLIAGE TYPE
A. Clarinervium, A. corrugatum, A.crystallinum, A. digitatum
A. holtanianum, A. leuconerum A. magnificum, A. pentaphyllum
A. pedetoradiatum, A. olfersianum, A. hookeri, A. veitchii
A. warocqueanum, A. watermaliense etc.

VARIETIES
The present day flowering Anthuriums are mostly hybrids of A. andreanum and A.
scherzerianum.
Some of the hybrids/varieties evolved during early stages of varietals improvement are
listed below.
Variety/Hybrids Spathe Colour Variety/ Hybrids Spathe Colour
Abe Bright pink Jamaica White
Aneunue Green and coral pink Marian Seefurth Rose pink
Avo-Anneke Pink Manova mist White
Avo-Jose White Ozaki Red
Avo-Claudia Red Sunburst Bright Orange
Avo-Chemelion White Sariana White and rose
Favoriet Orange Trinidad Off white
Hage-White White Horning orange Orange

4 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Besides these coloured varieties there are many varieties that are bicoloured.
Such bicoloured varieties are known as Obakes in trade.
Examples of obakes include;
Madona (Cream obake)
Farao (bright orange with green borders)
Lamboda (white-green obake) and Fla rose (Peach)

TYPES OF ANTHURIUM
There are three basic types of Anthurium flowers

1. STANDARD:

They have the most common heart shape, the spathe lobes often overlap.
Sizes range from 12x11cm to 20x18cm.
Colour range includes red, orange, pink, Coral, white and green.

2. OBAKE:

Popular for their two-tone coloration usually a bi-colour pattern of green and a major
spathe colour.
Some varieties will lose their green colour in summer resulting in solid coloured spathe.
Sizes vary from 8x7cm miniatures 28x23cm large varieties.

3. TULIP:
They have up right cupped spathes, with a straight and erect spadix.
The spathe size ranges from 10x6cm.
Tulip types are mostly hybrids with more than one species as their parents.

CLASSIFICATION OF ANTHURIUM CUT FLOWER VARIETIES

Based on the above categorization, the Anthurium cut flower varieties are classified as
follows. Anthurium varieties that are released by the breeders in the recent years are summarized
in Table.
Spathe type Popular varieties Spathe colour Spadix colour
Standard Ozaki Light Red Light red-Purple
Kozohara Dark Red White Yellow tip
Nitta Orange White, Yellow tip
Midori Bright Green Yellow, Green tip
Marian Seefurth Pink White, Yellow tip

5 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Obake Madam pele Dark red, green White Red

Anuenue Coral, Green White, Yellow tip
Kalapana Red, Green White, Yellow tip
Rainbow Green, White Red
Mickey Mouse Dark red, Green Red-Orange
Tulip Lavender lady Mauve Mauve
Calypso Magenta-Fuchsia Darkmagenta,
Lady Jane Light red Fuchsia
Light red

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Anthurium passes through two distinctive growth phases,
o A juvenile phase and
o A generative phase.
The juvenile phases where only vegetative growth is observed and characterized by the
presence of vegetative buds in the axils of the leaf.
The juvenile phase is relatively long and the plants remain vegetative for 12-18 months.
The plants enter the generative phase characterized by the transformation of vegetative
buds to floral buds in the leaf axils.
The sequence of a new leaf and emergence of flower is more or less maintained from
then onwards.

6 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

GROWING ENVIRONMENT

Diurnal temperature, light and humidity play a major role in the growth and flowering of
Anthuriums.
DIURNAL TEMPERATURE
For a luxuriant growth the cultivated Anthurium (A. andreanum and A. scherzerianum)
required 18.3oC during night whereas
A higher night temperature of 21.2 to 23.9 oC is essential for initiation of flowering.
Anthurium cannot tolerate freezing temperature. At the same time Anthuriums do not
prefer temperatures above 35 oC.
If the temperature exceeds 35 degree centigrade coupled with low relative humidity leaf
scorching is common.

LIGHT
 Anthurium is basically a shade loving plant.
 During summer where the light intensity is more, Anthurium plants are provided with 75
to 80% shade allowing only 20-25% of light to reach the plants.
 The range of light intensity that suits Anthurium cultivation is 20,000 to 25,000 lux.
 Higher light intensity coupled with low relative humidity and poor shading often results
in scorching of young leaves and immature flower buds.
 In places with moderate climate where the light intensity is not so high, the plants can be
provided with 65 to 75% shade.

SHADING
Anthuriums are tropical plants, requiring high temperature and relative humidity.
Anthuriums have a moderate to low light requirement and require 75 to 80% shade.
To ensure the highest possible production during winter the shading should be removed
at the onset of winter.
In commercial practice it is advisable to have 50% shade net on the top and a 25% shade
net below it, so that the light levels at the plant growth can be modified depending upon
the ambient light conditions.
Anthurium can be shaded with saran or with UV stabilized agro shade nets for providing
uniform shading.
The shade nets can be operated manually by closely watching the external light intensity.

7 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

RELATIVE HUMIDITY
 Anthurium thrives well in areas having high relative humidity levels, which are common
in coastal areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, high rainfall
areas of Western, Eastern Ghats and North Eastern hilly regions.
 The optimum relative humidity levels range from 50 to 85% and at humidity levels less
than 50%, the vegetative growth is slower and the flower development is poor.

FLORAL DEVELOPMENT
 The elongation of the stem bearing the spadix begins about one month after expansion
of the subtending leaf.
 This is subtending by a showy leaf-like structure called a spathe.
 The cycle of the leaf and flower emergence varies with the season.
 3 to 8 flowers per plant per year can be expected.
 The Anthurium flower is a spadix or inflorescence spike, cylindrical in shape, bearing
up to 250-300 inconspicuous bisexual flowers arranged in a series of spirals.
 The spadix and spathe are borne on a leafless stem or peduncle.
 Commercial flower harvesting takes place when approximately three quarters of the
stigmas along the spadix have become receptive.

GROWING STRUCTURES
Depending upon the area of cultivation, the growing structures can be modified to suit the
local climatic conditions.
Commercial scale Anthurium cultivation can be taken up in
o Low cost polyhouses,
o Shade houses or
o Climate controlled green houses.

8 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

LOW COST POLY HOUSES

 In areas where the relative humidity levels are low and the temperature levels are
high, low cost poly houses are more suitable for commercial cultivation of
Anthuriums.
 By creating a protected climate by cladding UV stabilized polythene, the relative
humidity levels can be easily maintained and by providing top or side ventilation,
the hot air can be easily expelled.
 Inside the poly house, the top portion can be provided with layers of two shade
nets (50% and 25%).
 If the light intensity is very high a thin film of calcium chloride or lime can be
sprayed on the external surface of the poly house to reduce the incoming
radiation.

SHADE HOUSES
In many of the commercial Anthurium growing areas, shade houses are the most popular
structures because of the simplicity of construction and low cost.
The shade houses can be constructed by taking the support of existing tree trunks if the
Anthuriums are grown in multistoried plantation cropping.
In open areas wooden, granite or pillars can be erected at regular intervals connected by
GI wires as a mesh on top.
Shade net can be covered on the top to provide the required shade 75%, (ie., 50 +25%,
shade nets).
Provision can be made for installing overhead sprinkler/misters/fogging systems by
running GI wires from one end to another end.

CLIMATE CONTROLLED GREEN HOUSES

The capital investment and the level of sophistication is more in climate controlled green
houses than the previous two structures.
Climate controlled green houses can be adopted for growing Anthuriums in areas where
conditions of growing are not so congenial or
To produce top quality blooms exclusively for export markets.
Unless it is warranted it is not advisable to go for such capital intensive structures.

PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

9 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

1) Excess light
Symptoms – Leaves appear bleached in the centers and may have brown tips.
Control – Increase shade so as to reduce light level to 1800-2500 foot-candles.
2) Over fertilization
Symptoms – Lower leaves become yellow and develop brown tips, which gradually
enlarge.
Control – Reduce fertilization and leach soils thoroughly. Check roots for damage and
possibility of secondary infection by fungus or bacteria.
3) Lack of flowering
Symptoms –Mature plants produce many leaves but few flowers. No flowers on the
lateral shoots.
Control – Increase light level to 1800-2500 foot-candles. Maintain higher light intensity
as long as leaves do not develop symptoms mentioned in 1) above.

GROWING MEDIA
Anthurium requires a highly organic, well aerated medium with good water retention.
However, the secret of success for commercial cultivation is to have good drainage in the
medium used.
An ideal medium for pots or ground potting should have the following properties;
Good water holding capacity. Must provide good anchorage.
High porosity. Should have optimum pH (5.0) and EC (0.6m
mhos/cm2)
Good aeration. Good structure and texture.
Low salt concentration (especially Na2, Cl and Ca2+ ions).

Various natural derivatives, which satisfy the above conditions, were tried to grow
Anthuriums commercially. The range of media that were used so far includes;

Sugarcane bagasse Saw dust

Coffee leaf mould Tree bark
Spent ground coffee Chicken manure
Coffee husk Ground nut shells
Cured coffee pulp Peat
Coffee parchment Wood shavings
Rock wool Brick, gravel, rubble etc

10 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

In many Anthurium growing countries, coconut husk and coco-peat have become the
most popular media for Anthurium cultivation.
India has a rich wealth of coconut plantations throughout southern India, the byproducts
of which can be exploited for Anthurium.
The coconut waste generated from the industry and in the trade can be collected and
washed repeatedly to wash of the excess salts especially sodium chloride.
The coconut waste is allowed to decompose by using microbial (Pleurotus sp.)
inoculation to the stock of coconut husk/coco-coir/coir dust.

Knowledge Assessment
Quiz:
I. Choose the correct answers:
1. Anthurium is a native of
a. Malayan region b. American tropics c. India d. Australia

2. Anthuriumhas ------------species
a. 600 b. 800 c. 1200 d. 900

3. Anthos’ means -------and ‘Oura’ means -------- respectively

a. Anther and tail b. Flower and Spathe c. Flower and tail d. Spathe and spadix

4. ‘Spathe’ is modification of
a. Leaf b. Candle c. Suckers d. Stalk

5. Flower of Anthuriumis a
a. Protogynous b. Hypogynous c. Androgynous d. Epigynous

6. Anthuriumfruit is a
a. Capsule b. Berry c. Drupe d. None

7. Bicoloured varieties of Anthuriumis known as -------- in trade.

11 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

a. Standards b. Tulip c.Obakes d. Sprays

8. Spathe size Tulip type ranges from

a. 10x6cm b. 20x15cm c. 15x10 cm d. 25x20 cm

9. Anthuriums do not prefer temperatures above

a. 25oCb. 30oCc.20oCd. 35 oC

10. Anthuriums require -------- shade

a. 75 to 80% b. 50 to 70% c. 85 to 90% d. 40 to 50%

II. Match the following:

1. Standard :8x7cm to 28x23cm
2. Obake :10x6cm
3. Tulip :12x11cm to 20x18cm
4. Anthuriumspacing : 3-4 leaf stage
5. Transplanting : 45 x 45cm

III. State true or false:

1. Vegetative propagation by terminal cuttings and stem sections are very vigorous.
2. In Hawaii standard master cartons are 43x23x11 inches.
3. Anthurium can be easily stored at 13oC for 5-6 weeks.
4. The flowers, which are harvested when ¾th of the length of the spadix changescolour.
5. Anthurium cannot tolerate freezing temperature.

Key Answers:
I. Choose the correct answers:
1(b) , 2(b), 3(c), 4(a), 5(a), 6(b), 7(c), 8(a), 9(d), 10(a)

II. Match the following:

1(c), 2(a), 3(b), 4(e), 5(d)

12 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK
 Development of e-courseware for B Sc (Hort), NAIP, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka

III. State true or false:

1(False), 2(True), 3(False), 4(True), 5(True)

13 Dr. B. Hemla Naik, Professor, Deptt. of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KNK