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Introduction of Anthurium andraeanum to Europe
French botanist Eduard Andre discovers Anthurium andraeanum in the Andes mountain in the year 1876, and brings multiple plants back to europe. Source: https://wonderground.press/botanica/plant-profile-anthurium-andraenum/#:~:text=Origin%2FHistory&text=French%20botanist%20Eduard%20Andre%20saw,coloured%20and%20shaped%20cultivars%20available. -
First Documented Hybrid Published
In 1883, the first documented hybrid, created for its decorative spathes (large sheath of sorts that protects the flower of many species of Aroids) is published. The hybrid is known as A. x ferrierense, and is reported as a cross between A. andraeanum and A. nymphaeifolium. Source: https://www.exoticaesoterica.com/magazine/a-collectors-look-at-anthurium-hybrids-and-hybridization -
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Hybridization Runs Wild
During this time period, dozens of named hybrids containing A. andraeanum were created and sold throughout Europe. During this time, most hybrids created and sold were selected based upon the beauty of their flowers, often showing shades of pinks and reds, in a shape that was not common in houseplants at the time. Source: https://www.exoticaesoterica.com/magazine/a-collectors-look-at-anthurium-hybrids-and-hybridization -
Anthuriums in Cultivation
Anthurium andraeanum Linden Ex André (pictured) is introduced to Trinidad and Tobago, and the rest of the Caribbean by Eugene André. These introductions were referred to as ‘Caribbean Pinks’ and ‘Caribbean Whites,’ and were specific hybrids between A. andraeanum Lindex Ex André and other species. These plants were grown under cocoa and citrus during the 1900s for export, and are still grown today, in fewer numbers, for the local market. Source: https://sta.uwi.edu/anthurium/history.asp -
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Boom in "Local Pink" Cultivation
During this time, Anthurium cultivation reached new levels in Trinidad, with up to 121 hectares of A. andraeanum hybrids, mostly underneath citrus and cocoa crops. It is worth noting the feasibility of this farming practice due to Anthurium primarily existing in rainforests as an understory plant, therefore requiring very little sun exposure in comparison to other crops. The largest farm was able to produce 6,000 cut flowers a week. Source: https://sta.uwi.edu/anthurium/history.asp -
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Trinidad Industry Faces Decline
Due to a few dry weather months in the late 1960s, and labor shortages due to the oil boom in the 1970s, the Anthurium industry began to decline in this area. By the end of the 1970s, only 20 hectares remained. Source: https://sta.uwi.edu/anthurium/history.asp -
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Caribbean Rise and Fall
During the 1980s to the 1990s, multiple countries competed for the larger share of the North American market to sell Anthurium flowers to. The primary contenders were the countries of Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica. Each country dealt with disease, particularly bacterial blight, that caused their crops to struggle, and severely impacted the industry. -
Growing Methods shift for Anthuriums
Still being grown in the Caribbean, Anthuriums were now beginning to be grown under 72% shade cloths, in high densities of 50,000 plants per acre. During this time, many new cultivars and hybrids were produced and grown this way. This method, however, had a very high barrier to entry, due to up front starting costs. This remains true to this day. Source: https://sta.uwi.edu/anthurium/history.asp -
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A Change in Cultivation
During this time, things began to change for the genus Anthurium as houseplants. Generally known by the public for their red and pink flowers, Anthurium growers and consumers alike began to broaden the horizons of what can be grown as a houseplant. Anthurium species such as warocqueanum, crystallinum, regale, and more began to be grown for their velvety texture and colorful veining in the leaves. Source: https://www.exoticaesoterica.com/magazine/the-ultimate-guide-to-velvet-leaf-anthuriums -
Covid Houseplant Market Explosion
During the Covid-19 lockdown, many houseplant owners began to obsess about caring for and collecting increasingly rare plants. This caused an immense surge in the pricing of Anthuriums, and still affects the market today. As of 2022, A collector spent $2,000 USD on a two leaf seedling of Anthurium dressleri. -
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The Era of NOID
As hobbyists have begun to create Anthurium hybrids to trade and sell to other local growers, it's become more common that the parentage of said hybrids is less and less certain. This shift in practice has led to a very commonplace identifier known as No-Identification (NOID), when referring to Anthurium hybrids whose parents are not known. As less careful measures are taken, this is bound to become more common. Source: https://www.exoticaexportare.com/arthurs-plant-notes/hybrid-hype-man -
Hybridization Loses its Formality
After large numbers of hobbyists got their hands on many different species of Anthuriums, something interesting happened. Anthurium hybridization became something that the average collector was capable and willing to do. This is due to Anthuriums' ability to openly pollinate with each other. This change created thousands of new hybrids and made it very difficult to keep track of lineage. Source: https://www.exoticaexportare.com/arthurs-plant-notes/hybrid-hype-man -
Anthurium Prices Continue to Soar
Even as the boom of the plant market that was induced by the pandemic returns to normal, the effects it had on Anthuriums will not soon be forgotten. Today, many rare hybrids of Anthurium can be seen for thousands of dollars, such as Anthurium BVEP 'Sun,' which is listed online today at a staggering $10,096. Source: https://www.monsterax.com/l/anthurium-bvep-sun/66dd14f9-6603-407a-9a27-863d7c6db948