The genus Anthurium Schott. (Araceae) comprehends more than 600 species. All species are ornamental and are distinguished by the beauty of their foliage. The Anthurium andraeanum Lind. has the preference of the public as an ornamental plant because of the color and size of its spathes. The objective of this work was to evaluate of five cultivars of A. andraeanum, as vessel plant, in the northern region of Paraná State. The cultivars 'Parakanã', 'Terena', 'Apalai', 'Ianomami' and 'Rubi' produced by micropropagation by Instituto Agronômico (IAC) were analyzed. The study was conducted at greenhouse with 80% of shade given by a black colored polypropylene screen. One seedling per plastic vessel, with four liters of volume, was cultivated in a substratum containing type 80 coconut fiber. The evaluation of the comparative performance of the seedlings was initiated after transplanting. The following parameters were evaluated monthly: length of the petiole, number of leafs, width and length of spathes and length of the floral axis. The evaluations showed increases on the height of plants and in the number of leaves during the three years of cultivation. The cultivars 'Parakanã', 'Rubi', 'Terena' and 'Apalai' are showed more vegetative development and their cultivation can be recommended as vessel plant in the north of Paraná State.
Anthurium andraeanum; floriculture; plant breeding
