How to Grow Anthurium at Home

  How to Grow Anthurium at Home

                                                      

Anthurium is an exotic cut flower plant. It is also known as Flamingo flower or Pig Anthrium. It is best known as a potted flowering plant as it is not desirable for cut flowers. The leaves of the plant are leathery with oblong tips. The flowers are broadly ovate and subtonted. The spadix is ​​spirally wrapped. The flowers are of various types.

Anthuriums are of the following two types-

 

1. Ornamental Anthuriums - Anthurium baken, Anthurium crustalinum, Anthurium Veitchit and Anthurium hookeri etc. Some ornamental Anthurium species are grown for foliage. These are grown in home gardens and interior spaces.

 2. Cut flower Anthurium - In this category, Anthurium andeanum type species are grown. When this species of Anthurium was grown, its flowers were of pastel pink colour, but now different colours are available.

Characteristics of Cut Flower Anthuriums

 • Plants should be dwarf and compact in nature with short internodes.

• Capable of producing large number of flowers.

• Flowers (Spathe) should be heart shaped with well-shaped basal lobes overlapping each other.

• Spadix is ​​reclining and parallel to the flower and should be smaller than the flower. This feature is beneficial in packing more flowers.

• Stem of cut flower should be long, minimum length should be five times the length of flower (30-45 cm).

• Plant should be tolerant to common pests and diseases.

 Flowers of different colours are grown in Indian nurseries and gardens, of which red, orange, white and pink are the main ones. At present, its latest types are also available, which are mentioned below-

 Obake Types – Flowers of two colours grow on plants of this class. Combination of green and other colours, such as red, orange, pink or white is the improved variety grown in this class. Paradiso, Lambada, Farao etc.

Novelties – Flowers of this class are cup-shaped like small tulips, spadix is ​​straight and which is not dependent like flowers of other species. The main varieties of this class are – Calypso and Trinidad.

Browns – Brown coloured flowers grow on plants of this class and they are grown very rarely.

 Doubles - Plants in this group have one large and one small flower (Spathe) on the same stem with a single spadix. This group has flowers in red, pink, orange and white colours. 'Rivin' is a white doubles variety.

 Indo-American Hybrid Seeds has the following varieties of Anthurium available:

  

 • White/Cream -

1. Carnaval 

2. Kahuna White

3. Linda de mol 

4. Maren guae

How to Grow Anthurium

 • Red -

1. Cancan 

2. Tropical

 • Orange/Peach -

1. Casino 

2. Passion

 • Bicolour/Obake -

1. Farao 

2. Lambada

 Agricultural Technology

Suitable environmental conditions are required for the successful production of Anthurium. The following environmental criteria are required for commercial production of Anthurium so that both the quantity and quality of Anthurium flowers are viable.

Climate

Anthurium grows well in hot humid areas of tropical and subtropical regions. It grows well in humid areas of coastal areas and up to an altitude of 3000-4500 above sea level.

Temperature

For optimum growth and flowering of plants, 18°C ​​and 27°C temperatures are considered ideal. Temperatures lower or higher than this have an adverse effect on the growth and flowering of plants.

Sun light

For proper growth of Anthurium, 35 percent light is required. Plants and flowers get scorched due to direct sunlight. It is a shade-loving plant and about 65 percent shade is recommended for it. Therefore, the growth of plants and the quality of flowers depend a lot on shade. However the shadow percentage varies due to the following factors.

• The cultivar.

• Age of the plant.

• The climate under which it is grown. The following measures are taken to provide shade:

• Coirmess enclosures.

• Lath House.

• Netlon cover.

Among all the shade materials available, Netlon cover is the best because it gives uniform shade and reduces damage caused by insects and birds.

In areas with heavy rainfall, transparent tarpaulin or polythene rainproof sheet should be laid. If the plants are left open in heavy rain, they get infected with diseases.

Ventilation 

Free movement of air is very important for good and healthy growth of the plant, as well as for prevention of pests and diseases, which can be done by leaving the side area of ​​the glass house open or by installing vents in the greenhouse.

Relative Humidity

 50-80 percent relative humidity is considered ideal for successful production of Anurium.

Anthurium is propagated by growing it in pots or raised beds, which are mentioned below-

 How to Plant Anthurium 

Pot Culture

 Anthurium can be grown in clay or plastic pots. Holes have been made in them for water drainage, then a mixture made of the following items is filled in them.

Various combinations of soil, sand and cow dung manure, leaf manure, sawdust, coir pith etc. can be used. The easiest and cheapest medium is charcoal, wood shavings and coconut coir which should be mixed in the ratio of 1:1:1.

One or two layers of small tiles and brick pieces should be placed on the outlet of the pot. Then fill the medium mixture in it in such a way that some space remains empty at the top. Before filling this mixture in the pot, it should be treated in 2% solution of Ridomil or Captal for 4-5 minutes and then it should be dried in the shade. Then the plant should be planted in the pot and then watered.

Planting in Raised beds

As per convenience, beds of 100-150 cm width and 30 cm height should be made. A space of 50 cm should be left between two beds. So that agricultural work can be done easily and in less time, then these beds should be filled with medium. Later, sowing should be done in May-June or August-September at a distance of 45 cm x 45 cm or 30 cm x 30 cm.

Fertilizer

For Anthurium, 1 percent mixture of NPK (20:20:20 or 17:17:17) should be given every week. Apart from this, commercial micronutrient solution can also be sprayed so that Anthurium plants can grow well.

Irrigation

For good and healthy growth and flowering, Anthurium requires high humidity. Water should be given regularly once a day. Whereas in drought conditions, water should be given twice a day. Irrigation should be done in the morning or evening to prevent wastage of water. Drip irrigation method is considered best for its production. In dry areas, humidity can be increased by sprinkling water on the floor.

Repotting 

 

Anthurium plants are planted in another pot in the following two circumstances—

 1. If the medium of the pot becomes deteriorate.

2. When the plants become outgrown in the pot, in this situation the circus is separated and planted, while the mother plant is grown in another pot in a new mixture.

Harvesting of Flowers

 

Anthurium is a flowering plant that flowers bloom throughout the year but harvest them when-

The stem (Pendulum) just below the flower (Spathe) is firm and hard and the Spadix has matured to 2/3 of its length.

Harvesting of flowers should be done early in the morning.

श्रेणीकरण (Grading)

 

 How to Grow Anthurium Plants

 

Sl. No.	Spathe size (Average length and width)	Grade
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	Less than 8 cm 8-10 cm 10-13 cm 13-15 cm 15 cm	Miniatures Small Medium Large Extra Large

 

 

Post Harvest Handling  

 The flowers should be cut from the plant leaving about 5 cm from the base of the stem, which should be left on the plant to dry. The flowers should be placed in water immediately after cutting. Commercial formulations like Flora life or Ever bloom can be used to increase the pot life of the flowers. Waxing the flowers with carnuba wax can also increase the pot life of the flowers. The pot life of common and anthurium is about 3 weeks.

Packing

 Care should be taken while packaging Anthurium flowers. The spathe of one flower should not touch the spathe of another flower. The spadix of the flower should also not touch the spathe. Plastic bags or newspaper should be used to protect them from each other.

If the flowers have to be sent outside, it is very important to take care of the temperature. If the temperature falls below 15°C, the flowers will turn blue and wither.

Propagation

 

Anthurium can be propagated from seeds but the plants take a lot of time to reach adulthood and the plants obtained from them are not of the right type. Therefore, for commercial production, Anthurium is propagated through suckers and tissue culture.

Insect Control 

 

• Leaf Eating Caterpillar – This insect damages small plants, mature leaves and flowers by eating them.

To control this insect, 0.1% solution of Monocrotophos should be sprayed.

 • Snails – Cuts the leaves and roots of small and big plants. Apart from this, it also eats the flowers due to which they are not marketable.

The following measures should be taken to control this insect –

- Insects should be collected and destroyed.

- 0.2% solution of carbaryl should be sprayed.

 How to Plant Anthurium Plant

• Mite

These insects eat both the surfaces of the leaves, due to which the leaves become spotted. In case of severe infestation, they curl up. Irregular spots and complete mottling occur on the flowers.

To control this pest, 0.2% solution of Dicofol should be sprayed.

 • Scales & Mealy bugs - These pests attack in summers and suck the juice of leaves, flowers and roots.

To control these pests, 0.1% solution of Monocrotophos should be sprayed.

 • Mole Cricket - This pest digs holes in the soil and damages the roots of the plants due to which the plant withers and finally dies.

To control this pest, soak the soil thoroughly with 0.05% solution of Cypermethane.

Disease Control

 

 Anthracnose - This disease is caused by a fungus called Collectro trichom gleosporondes. This disease is more prevalent in hot weather and on farms with high density. Burns, spots or ulcers appear on the leaves. Very small black spots appear on the flowers due to which the flowers are not saleable.

The following measures should be taken to control this disease -

- Old and affected leaves and flowers should be plucked and burnt.

- Mancozeb (0.25%) or Captaf (0.25%) or Cuman L (0.3%) should be sprayed after every 15 days.

In the above mentioned production conditions, protective spraying of 0.1 percent solution of Corendazim should be done.

 How to Grow Anthurium Flower 

 

Bacterial Blight - This disease is caused by a bacterium called Xanthomonas campestris. Small water soaked spots are formed especially near the edges of the leaves which later grow bigger and turn into necrotic spots. Due to this disease, petioles also fall.

The following measures should be taken to prevent this disease-

- Uproot the affected plants and burn them.

- In case of severe disease, 0-01 percent solution of Streptocycline Sulphate should be sprayed.

- 0.2 percent solution of Copper Oxy Chloride should be sprayed every week.

 Blight - This disease is caused by a fungus called Phytophthora nicotianae. It occurs more in hot humid weather. It attacks small plants, mature plants and flowers. Water soaked lesions appear on the leaves which later turn black.

The following measures should be taken to control this disease -

- Cut and separate the affected parts.

- Spray 0.2 percent Ridomil ( ) 2 percent solution.

- Soak the pots or beds thoroughly with 0.2 percent solution of Copper Oxy Chloride.

- Spray Neem Cake with By applying super phosphate in the field, the disease tolerance capacity of plants increases.

 Root Rot - This disease is caused by a fungus called Pythium species. This disease is found in warm, badly drained and wet soils. The upper root layers can be easily uprooted.

To control this disease, 0.2 percent solution of copper oxycide should be sprayed.

 Anthurium Mosaic - This is a virus disease. The affected leaves become spotted and ugly and the flowers also get deformed.

The following measures should be taken to control this disease-

- To prevent Champa , 0.2 percent Malathion should be sprayed.

- Uproot the affected plants and burn them.

- Disinfect the agricultural equipment before use 

Suggestions for chemical control program

 How to Grow Anthurium at Home

 • Fungicides and insecticides should be used for disease and pest control.

• Spraying should be done in the morning because if sprayed in the afternoon, the leaves get burnt due to strong sunlight.

• Fine nozzle sprayer should be used.

• Medicines should not be sprayed on small plants and at the time of flowering. Unless it is absolutely necessary.

  For pest and disease control, spraying should be done in the following manner-

- Spray captan or carbendazim (1 ml / liter water) once a month.

- Spray 0.2 percent solution of strepcycline once a month.

Suggestions for getting maximum income from Anthurium

- Always grow Anthurium in shade house.

- Make a place for insecticide solution for washing hands and feet at the entrance and exit of the shade house .

- Before using agricultural equipment, treat them with pesticides.

- If the infestation of diseases and pests becomes severe, destroy the affected parts/plants.

- Use disease-free material for propagation.