Hi all!
Anthurium growers, how do I tell if the new stalk is going to be another leaf or flower? I've tried to go around looking at the Ants. in GHs to see if I can tell the difference. I cannot. It appears that the same stalk that bears a new leaf could also be the one that bears a new flower! also, the new leaves that are forming at the base of the plant have a reddish backside, whereas the older leaves do not.
2nd shot..
There is no way to tell because they are the same. Each shoot will (ideally) produce a leaf and then a flower. There is always the potential for the flower although sometimes it "aborts". I have one plant that always produces a flower for each new leaf. What you see there are the beginnings of new leaves that should, in the end, produce a flower also. I'll try to take some photos but I'll have to catch the leaves and flowers at the right time in the process so it may take a while. Most of my plants aren't at home right now but I'll check them this week.
Here is the explanation taken from an article found on the International Aroid Society site. I saved it some time ago. Not sure exactly where on the site I found it.
Growth in Anthurium is sympodial with each shoot bearing a bi-carinate prophyll and a larger, single-keeled cata-phyll, a foliage leaf, and terminating in an inflorescence. The inflorescence, although always potential, may abort (Engler, 1877). The cataphylls, which are usually green, promptly turn brownish, reddish, or yellowish and may be de-ciduous. More frequently they persist, either remaining intact, such as in section Calomystrium Schott and some other species, or they are mar-cescent, variously weathering into a network of persistent fibers that may accumulate debris.
Ok. Lucked up and I've got a small one here at the house that's blooming and getting a new leaf. In this picture, the new leaf is forming on the right. Just below it on the left, is the base of a relatively new flower stem that formed on a mature leaf stalk.
another photo
last one
Okay, thank you NN. Very helpful information.:)
GH
It was probably "overkill", but you're welcome. Can you tell I need a social life??????????????
You and me both! LOL
Hey you two...this *is* my social life, LOL!!!
