Performance Evaluation of Cut Flower Varieties of Anthurium Under Two Agroclimatic Conditions

Studies were conducted on 10 cut flower varieties of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) to ascertain the influence of two agroclimatic situations, one in the plains (Vellanikkara, Thrissur) and the other at an altitude of 1050m above MSL (Nelliampathy, Palakkad) on growth and flowering. One year after planting significant differences were observed with respect to varieties and agroclimatic regions. Vegetative characters and number of flowers were significantly higher at Nelliampathy compared to Vellanikkara. Nelliampathy could be identified as a suitable location for growing cut flower varieties of anthurium compared to Vellanikkara in terms of plant growth, number of flowers, spathe size and quality of flowers. Maximum number of flowers was for Esmeralda, Benicito and Jewel and minimum for Caeser, Akapana and Lucia. At Vellanikkara, highest number of flowers was recorded for Benicito and lowest for Aymara, Esmeralda, Caeser and Lucia. In all the varieties, flowering was earlier at Vellanikkara.