Anthurium crystallinum is admired for its striking foliage, characterized by large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves with prominent white veins. While its leaves are the main aesthetic feature, understanding the plant’s flowering process is important for comprehensive care and potential propagation. This article explores the unique aspects of the Anthurium crystallinum flower, including its structure, how to encourage its appearance, its role in reproduction, and how to manage it.
The Anthurium Crystallinum Flower
The Anthurium crystallinum produces an inflorescence, often mistakenly called a single flower. This structure has two main parts: the spathe and the spadix. The spathe is a modified leaf that protects the true flowers. For Anthurium crystallinum, the spathe is typically green, sometimes with a reddish tinge or dull purplish-brown, and is not as showy as other Anthurium species.
The spadix emerges from the spathe as a pencil-like or cylindrical spike, containing tiny, individual flowers arranged in spirals. The spadix is usually pale green or yellowish, ripening to red berries after pollination. Unlike plants with showy petals, the Anthurium crystallinum flower’s subtle appearance serves reproduction rather than ornamental beauty.
Encouraging and Maintaining Blooms
Providing the right environmental conditions is important for encouraging Anthurium crystallinum to produce its blooms. Bright, indirect light is ideal, mimicking its natural habitat where it grows under a tree canopy. Insufficient light can hinder flowering, so an ideal location provides about six hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily, or equivalent from grow lights. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves.
Anthurium crystallinum thrives in warm, humid conditions, reflecting its origins in Central and South American rainforests. Temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18-29°C) are suitable, with humidity levels maintained between 70% and 80%. A humidifier can help achieve these levels indoors.
Consistent moisture is important, but overwatering can lead to root rot. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings, when the top inch or two feels dry to the touch. Fertilization supports plant health and flowering. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half or quarter strength, weekly during the growing season (spring and summer) or monthly.
Phosphorus-rich fertilizers are beneficial for promoting flowering. Younger plants may not flower as readily as more mature specimens, taking a year or more to reach flowering maturity.
Pollination and Seed Development
The reproductive process of Anthurium crystallinum involves distinct male and female phases on the same spadix, though they occur at different times to prevent self-pollination. During the female phase, the individual flowers on the spadix become receptive, often indicated by tiny droplets of a sticky stigmatic fluid. This fluid typically appears first at the base of the spadix and progresses upwards.
For manual pollination, pollen needs to be collected during the male phase from another inflorescence or saved from a previous one. The male phase occurs after the female phase, when flowers produce pollen. Pollen can be collected with a small brush and stored, ideally in a freezer. When another spadix enters its receptive female phase, the collected pollen can be gently brushed onto the sticky surface of the spadix, preferably at night.
After successful pollination, the spadix will begin to develop seed pods, which are small, berry-like structures. These berries typically contain one or two seeds each and will swell and often change color, ripening to shades like red, orange, or purple. The maturation of these fruits can take several months, often six to seven months, but sometimes up to a year. Once ripe, the berries will bulge and are easier to remove from the spadix.
Managing Your Plant’s Flower
Once an Anthurium crystallinum produces a flower, growers have a choice regarding its management: whether to leave it on the plant or remove it. Leaving the flower on the plant allows for potential seed production if pollination occurs, which is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle. This is relevant for those interested in propagating from seed or observing its full reproductive cycle.
However, allowing the flower to develop seeds consumes significant plant energy. For many Anthurium crystallinum enthusiasts, the striking foliage is the primary aesthetic draw. Removing the flower, or inflorescence, redirects energy towards producing more and larger leaves. This leads to more robust foliage growth, often the desired outcome. To remove the flower, cut it cleanly at its base with a sharp, sterilized tool.