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| Credit: Andraenum2 fr. wikipedia |
While some people give red roses as a
Valentines flower some are a bit more mischievous and give anthuriums
instead. Anthuriums are also known as
Boy Flowers because the “flower” of the plant has a resemblance to male
anatomy. Other common names for the
anthurium include Flamingo flower and Tail flower. Anthuriums may be found as potted plants
around Valentine’s Day (and at other times) or the flowers may be found in
distinctive floral arrangements. In the
language of flowers the anthurium flower is said to mean hospitality. Huh?
There are more than 130 species of
anthuriums but few are found in cultivation.
Two species of anthuriums; Flamingo Flower (Anthurium scherzianum) and
Painter's Palette (Anthurium andreanum) and some hybrids of these are sold as
flowering houseplants. Some species of
anthuriums are also used as foliage plants in the homes and greenhouses of
collectors who can afford the pricy and finicky plants. Florida and the Netherlands produce most of
the flowering potted anthuriums.
Hawaii produces great quantities of cut
anthuriums for the florist trade, varieties with large flowers and strong
stems. In Hawaii some gardeners also
grow various species of anthuriums outside.
Hawaii greenhouses and nurseries also produce many of the foliage
species of anthuriums that collectors covet.
Boy
Flower anatomy
The anthurium “flower” is actually a
modified leaf, or bract. In most species
it is an elongated heart or hood shape and is colored red or orange in color.
This bract is called a spathe. Species
of cultivated anthuriums have now been developed that have pink, yellow,
purple, white and variegated spathes but red is still the most popular. The spathe is thick with a waxy, shiny look
that looks almost artificial.
At the base of the spathe a long spike
called a spadix pokes upward. The
spadix is closely packed with the tiny true flowers of the anthurium. These flowers have both male and female
parts. Spadix flowers are usually yellow
or white. Each flower will eventually
turn into a fleshy berry with two seeds inside.
Anthurium foliage is also
attractive. The leaves are heart shaped,
deep green and shiny in the species kept as flowering houseplants. But some rarer anthuriums have velvety
leaves, or broader leaves marked with beautiful vein patterns. Most of the foliage anthuriums are difficult
to grow in normal household conditions and require a greenhouse and dedicated
gardener.
Growing
conditions
Most anthuriums come from tropical
areas of Central and South America. They
are often epiphytes or “air” plants in nature although some species grow in the
ground. Most species are sprawling or
vine-like. The anthuriums cultivated as
houseplants are grown in a coarse, well drained media in pots.
If kept in good light, warm, lightly
fertilized and watered correctly anthuriums will actually bloom for long
periods or if in perfect conditions almost continuously. They can be a bit tricky as a houseplant and
are not for those indoor gardeners who practice benign neglect.
The suggested medium for anthuriums in
cultivation is equal parts of peat, perlite and shredded bark. A potting mix for orchids will work. (In Hawaii anthuriums are sometimes grown
in macadamia nut hulls. ) Plants should be kept slightly root bound, which
means the pot should not be much bigger than the root system. When you buy a potted anthurium it will
probably not need re-potting for a year or two.
Anthuriums need bright but indirect
light. They will flourish in an east
window or a few inches from south or west windows. Strong direct sun will burn the leaves. They must be kept above 65 degrees F. for
good flowering but below 90 degrees F.
Keep them out of drafts. Plants
need to be kept above 45 degrees F. to survive.
Humidity is essential to flowering and
good looking foliage in anthuriums. If you
don’t use a humidifier in the home the anthurium pot should probably be set
over a tray of water and misted frequently.
But while they like humidity they absolutely cannot stand over watering. They should be watered well and then allowed
to dry out just slightly but not to the point of wilting, before watering
again. Brown ends on the foliage and
flower spathe mean the humidity is too low or that you are over or under
watering.
Anthuriums require light but continuous
fertilization to bloom. Slow release
fertilizer is usually incorporated into commercial potting mixes that plants
are potted in for sale and so you probably won’t need to fertilize for a month
after purchase. After that you can use a
fertilizer with a low nitrogen ratio such as 7-9-5 either in a slow release
granular form or as a liquid at every other watering. Many growers suggest a flowering houseplant
fertilizer mixed at half strength.
The Flamingo Flower or Painter’s
Palette anthriums get about 2 foot high and wide at maturity. These species or similar hybrids are
relatively easy to find in places that sell potted house plants. Make sure they are well protected from the
cold as you transport them home. Other
species of anthuriums can be found in specialty stores and catalogs but can be
very expensive.
Anthurium plant parts are poisonous and
handling the plants may also give some people a rash.
For the gardener in your life a
Valentine’s Day gift of a Boy Flower may make the day special. And if you opt instead for a floral arrangement
featuring anthurium flowers you are giving a special gift that can last for
weeks.
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