Anthurium plants can be propagated through seed production, allowing cultivation of new plants and unique hybrids. Understanding the specific steps involved in anthurium pollination is key to successfully generating seeds and expanding your plant collection.
Understanding Anthurium Flower Structure
An anthurium inflorescence is a complex structure composed of a spadix and a spathe. The spathe is a modified leaf that surrounds the central, fleshy spike-like spadix. The true flowers are minute and densely packed along the surface of the spadix.
Each tiny flower on the spadix contains both male and female reproductive parts. However, anthuriums are typically protogynous, meaning the female parts mature before the male parts. This sequential maturation prevents self-pollination on the same inflorescence, encouraging cross-pollination.
The female receptive phase involves the stigmas becoming moist and sticky. These female parts are typically surrounded by four stamens. The flowers are arranged in dense spirals along the spadix.
Identifying Pollination Readiness
Determining when an anthurium flower is ready for pollination involves recognizing distinct female and male phases. The female phase is identifiable by small, glistening, sticky droplets of fluid on the stigmatic surfaces of the spadix. This receptive stage usually begins at the base of the spadix and progresses upwards towards the tip over a period of a few days.
Following the female receptive phase, the inflorescence transitions into its male phase, producing pollen. This pollen typically appears as a fine, powdery substance on the spadix surface. You can confirm its presence by gently touching the spadix; if ready, some will adhere to your finger. The male phase can last for several days or even weeks.
Since the female and male phases on a single anthurium inflorescence occur at different times, successful pollination often requires pollen from a different inflorescence, either from the same plant or another plant, that is currently in its male phase. If you intend to pollinate a plant with its own pollen, you will need to collect and store pollen from an earlier bloom.
Manual Pollination Steps
Manual pollination of anthuriums requires a gentle approach and a few tools, such as a small, soft brush, a cotton swab, or a toothpick. A piece of black acrylic or foil can also be helpful for pollen collection.
To collect pollen, wait until the spadix is visibly producing a powdery substance, indicating the male phase. Gently brush or tap the spadix over your chosen collection surface to gather the loose pollen. This collected pollen can be used immediately or stored for later use in a sealed container, ideally with a desiccant and frozen, where it can remain viable for several months.
Once you have pollen, identify an anthurium spadix in its receptive female phase. Using your brush or cotton swab, pick up the collected pollen and carefully apply it to the entire surface of the receptive spadix, starting from the base. Repeat this application over a few days as the receptive fluid progresses up the spadix, ensuring comprehensive coverage and maximizing fertilization chances.
Caring for Pollinated Flowers and Seed Development
After successful pollination, the anthurium spadix will undergo observable changes. A primary indication of success is that the spadix remains firm and green, rather than yellowing and becoming limp. Over time, the pollinated areas will begin to swell, forming small bumps that are the developing berries containing the seeds.
The maturation of these berries is a lengthy process, typically taking four to twelve months. The berries will gradually change color, turning red or orange when ripe. They will also appear plump and may easily detach from the spadix when ready for harvest.
To harvest, gently twist or pop the ripe berries off the spadix. Each berry typically contains one to three seeds. After harvesting, the seeds should be immediately cleaned by crushing the berries and rinsing them thoroughly under cold water to remove pulp and residue. Planting fresh seeds promptly is important, as anthurium seeds can lose viability if allowed to dry out. Maintaining optimal growing conditions, including warm temperatures around 21-27°C (70-80°F) and high humidity of 80-100%, is beneficial for developing seeds.