Photo Gallery - Anthurium

Anthuriurm Anthurium andraeanum L

During the past 25 years innovative systems of growing anthurium in the tropics under shade houses have been developed by progressive farmers in the region. Considerable research effort, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), has been expended in accumulating elite germplasm, learning to manage diseases, screening for disease resistance, breeding for resistance, bioengineering for novel cut-flower colours, developing micropropagation systems to rapidly multiply anthurium at minimal cost etc. Recently a number of novel varieties that combine resistance with good horticultural attributes have been developed in a collaborative effort between Kairi Cut-flowers Ltd and UWI, St. Augustine. Bioengineering these varieties for novel colours is presently underway at UWI. A semi-commercial tissue culture facility has been established at UWI, St. Augustine to supply planting material to farmers. In the marketing front, flower arrangements with anthurium by the Caribbean florists have consistently won high awards in international horticultural shows. This coupled with the fact that anthurium has the longest vaselife of any known ornamental flower augurs well for its marketing. These developments provide great promise for resuscitating the Caribbean anthurium industry.

For more information visit http://sta.uwi.edu/anthurium/geneticStudiesCaribbean.asp