Growing the flamingo flower

WHAT attracted everyone at Agro-tech, 98 held at the parade ground? It was the floriculture stalls that were a feast for the eyes of all flower lovers.

"Please do not touch", was the repeated request. Some people refused to believe that the flowers displayed there were natural and not plastic ones, so pressing was the urge to touch and know.

It is possible to grow anthurium

The ones that evoked a tremendous response included liluim, gerbera and carnations but the ones that stole the show were the anthuriums — the aristocrats of the plant world. They were there in white, red and mixed hues of white-green. I have received innumerable queries on whether anthuriums could be raised here or not. Perhaps, florists only could get them from far off places like Pune and Bangalore etc. The answer to all those queries is that the anthurium in flowering shown in the accompanying photograph has been grown here.

The single bloom, however, has just finished after decorating the pot for about 60 days. Growing it here is not impossible.

For that matter, growing most of the flowers is possible at most places, provided you understand the very nature of the plant and try to provide it conditions closest to those present at the place of its origin. Lady Luck smiles and one fine day you get the reward of spectacular blooms.

Anthurium, also called the flamingo flower or the pig-tail plant, is related to the spathyphyllum and the callalily. It bears a large colourful bract called a spathe. At one side of the spathe is a long straight or curved appendage (sitta) called a spadix. It is this extension that carries the true tiny flowers. The spathe can be of various colours.

Usually, what you could get from the local nurseries were small flowering white, pink or red (valued the most) anthuriums and those producing giant "flowers" of various hues, deep red to scarlet, rose, salmon white, white with red dots and a mixed white and green are a result of selection or hybridisation. The spathe looks like as if it is varnished and has a leathery texture.

The plants bloom all the year round. The flowering starts after about three years of planting after the plants have matured by putting in a few years in vegetative growth.

The requirement for anthurium can easily be met under our conditions. The only thing is that the plant needs a humid and warm position, away from direct sun. For this purpose the greenhouse, net house or the conservatory are most suitable. However, if you do not have any of such structures provide humid conditions by placing it near a water body, saucer or a humidifying tray. The plant likes a bright spot but the pot should always be kept moist.

Anthurium on display at Agro-tech

The size of the bloom in the initial years is small and increases with the age of the plant. A mature plant starts blooming with every emerging leaf. The plant makes a crown above the surface of the soil and leaves keep emerging from this crown. One day you may find an off set too. That is your independent plant.

There are two types of anthuriums — the one that put forth significant ‘flowers’ are the so-called flowering species. Because of their interesting spathes. The leafy species have magnificent leaves which look like a stag-head. Seeing them sway with the wind is a sight in itself.

The anthurium is especially suitable for sophisticated plant arrangements. The flowers last for about a month-and- a-half in the vase.

This fortnightly feature was published on January 3.