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In anthurium, productivity is defined as the average number of cut-flowers per growing point (stem) per year, preferably calculated over two years. An anthurium plant usually produces only about 5 - 6 cut-flowers per year, so a difference of one cut-flower per plant per year translates into large economic differences.
With careful management, a grower can expect on average 45 to 50 cut-flowers per m2 per year or about 6 - 7 cut-flowers per plant. A good cultivar yields 7 cut-flowers per plant per year. For exceptionally rare or beautiful cultivars, which fetch a premium, three to four cut-flowers per plant per year may be still acceptable.
It determines the production volume and hence is considered the most important objective in anthurium breeding. Productivity data for all the anthurium cultivars grown in the Caribbean have been determined through research- questionnaires and actual field experimentation. There is considerable genetic variation for productivity among the germplasm available in Trinidad. Several of the anthuriums combine good horticultural attributes and productivity.
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